Israel junction conditions for simple metrics

In summary, the normal to the hypersurface at a junction between two objects depends on the direction of the vector joining the two objects. If the vector is in the direction of the r-axis, then the normal is in the direction of g_rr. If the vector is perpendicular to the r-axis, then the normal is in the direction of g_tt.
  • #1
FunkyDwarf
489
0
Hello,

I am curious as to how one appropriately matches an interior and exterior solution in GR, i.e. where the interior corresponds to the field of some finite spherical mass (perfect fluid sphere, for the Schwarzschild interior solution). Specifically, looking at both the Schwarzschild interior, and the metrics given here

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0305-4470/10/4/017/meta
http://www.jstor.org/stable/78530?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

it seems that not only is the dt^2 coefficient continuous at the boundary of the object (r=R), but it is also differentiable (in the schwarzschild coordinates, i think?). This is in contrast to the dr^2 coefficient.

Is there some deeper requirement that forces the dt^2 to be smooth and continuous whereas the dr^2 coefficient does not? How to Israel's junction conditions translate into conditions on simple metrics? That is to say, if you know that you are matching an interior to the vacuum solution, what can you say/conditions can you impose on the value of the dr^2 and dt^2 interior coefficients (and their derivatives) at the boundary?

Thanks!
-FD
 
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  • #2
I would expect *all* components of the metric to be twice differentiable, because the curvature is computed from those second derivatives, and the curvature should be finite.

Too bad the articles are paywalled.
 
  • #3
Okay so I've a better idea now: the requirement is that the induced metric and extrinsic curvature match at the boundary. The induced metric is easy enough to get my head around, but the extrinsic curvature is harder.

I thought i'd lucked out with these notes here
http://aesop.phys.utk.edu/ads-cft/L2.pdf (page 3)
But their definition of the normal to the hypersurface is something I find a bit confusing. Specifically, I get a different answer for the K_tt term if I use it verbatim. It seems consistent with the definition given here
http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/100975/hypersurface-normal

Specifically when f(x) = r = const = R (joining at the surface of an object is what I am interested in) you get
[itex]
n_{\alpha}^{\mu} = n_{r}^{\mu} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{g_{rr}}} \delta_{r}^{\mu}
[/itex]
because unless alpha = r, the derivative kills the whole thing off, which is the same as in the pdf linked above. But this ends up giving
[itex]
K_{tt} = \frac{GM}{R^2} (1-\frac{2GM}{R})^{3/2}
[/itex]
which is the wrong power.

I'm sure I'm missing something silly here, thanks in advance!
 
  • #4
J.L.Synge has a detailed discussion of junction conditions in his 1960 GR text, which he states is modeled on the work of Israel. He shows, among other things, that if the metric is continuous and differentiable (but not necessarily second differentiable ) across the junction boundary, and is second differentiable elsewhere, then the junction conditions are satisfied. He doesn't argue the other direction of inference.
 
  • #5
Well the junction conditions do seem to require continuity and differentiability of the g_tt component, but only continuity of g_rr, which is what i expect.

Also, I think I found the problem: in that L2.pdf the normal vector has g_rr in the denominator, but based on the definition in the other link it should be g^rr, in which case I get the same answer.
 

1. What are Israel junction conditions for simple metrics?

The Israel junction conditions for simple metrics are a set of boundary conditions that must be satisfied at the boundary between two regions with different metric tensors. These conditions are important in General Relativity, and are used to ensure that the metric is continuous and differentiable across the boundary.

2. Why are Israel junction conditions important?

The Israel junction conditions are important because they allow us to incorporate different solutions to the Einstein field equations in different regions, while ensuring that the overall spacetime is physically consistent. Without these conditions, we would not be able to join different solutions together in a smooth and continuous manner.

3. How are Israel junction conditions derived?

The Israel junction conditions are derived by applying the Einstein field equations to a thin layer of matter at the boundary between two regions. This layer of matter serves as a source for the gravitational field and allows us to relate the metric tensors on either side of the boundary.

4. Can Israel junction conditions be violated?

Yes, Israel junction conditions can be violated if the matter at the boundary does not satisfy certain energy conditions. In this case, the boundary between the two regions would not be smooth and the spacetime would not be consistent. This is known as a "junction discontinuity".

5. Are there any applications of Israel junction conditions?

Yes, Israel junction conditions have various applications in astrophysics and cosmology. They are commonly used to study the behavior of black hole boundaries, the formation of cosmic strings, and the evolution of the early universe. They also play a crucial role in numerical simulations of gravitational collapse and cosmological models.

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