Riemann tensor Definition and 70 Threads

My professor asks, "Double check a formula that specifies how Riemann tensor is proportional to a curvature scalar." in our homework. The closet thing I can find is the relation between the ricci tensor and the curvature scalar in einstein's field equation for empty space.

I have started with the space-time metric in a weak gravitational field (with the assumption of low velocity): ds^2=-(1+2\phi)dt^2+(1-2\phi)(dx^2+dy^2+dz^2) Where \phi<<1 is the gravitational potential. Using the standard form for the Christoffel symbols have found: \Gamma^0_{00}=\phi_{,0}...

what would Rabcd;e look like in terms of it's christoffels? or Rab;c

Let's say I want to calculate the Ricci tensor, R_{bd}, in terms of the contractions of the Riemann tensor, {R^a}_{bcd}. There are two definitions of the Riemann tensor I have, one where the a is lowered and one where it is not, as above. To change between the two all that I have ever seen...

Hi all, I'm trying to follow through some of my notes of a GR course. The notes are working towards a specific expression and the following line appears: R^{\alpha \beta}_{\gamma \delta ; \mu} + R^{\alpha \beta}_{\delta \mu ; \gamma} + R^{\alpha \beta}_{\mu \gamma ; \delta}=0 Which by...

Homework Statement I am trying to show that for a vector field Va which satisfies V_{a;b}+V_{b;a} that V_{a;b;c}=V_eR^e_{cba} using just the below identities. Homework Equations V_{a;b;c}-V_{a;c;b}=V_eR^e_{abc}(0) R^e_{abc}+R^e_{bca}+R^e_{cab}=0 (*) V_{a;b}+V_{b;a}=0 (**) The Attempt at a...

Homework Statement How to use veilbein to calculate Riemann tensor, Ricci tensor and Ricci scalar? (please give me the details) de^a+\omega_{~b}^a\wedge e^b=0, R_{~b}^a=d\omega_{~b}^a+\omega_{~c}^a\wedge\omega_{~b}^c. The metric is...

A metric consistent with interval: \mathrm{d}s^2=-\mathrm{d}\tau^2+\frac{4\tau^2}{(1-\rho^2)^2}\left(\mathrm{d}\rho^2+\rho^2\mathrm{d}\theta^2+\rho^2\sin(\theta)^2\mathrm{d}\varphi^2\right) get zero for riemann's tensor, therefor must be isomorphic with minkowski tensor. But I don't find thus...

no. of field equations and components or Riemann tensor?? Someone was trying to explain to me about curvature in space. From what I got from what they were saying doesn't make sense to me. I'm not sure I understand what the number of components, N, of R\alpha,\beta,\gamma,\delta when compared...

Hi, thanks for the attention and excuse for my bad english. I'm studying general relativity and I have a doubt about the number of indipendent component of the riemann curvature tensor. We have two kind of riemann tensor: type (3,1) Rikml type (4,0) Rrkml There are also some symmetry...

When Riemann tensor = 0, spacetime is flat. Is the geometry of this flat spacetime that of special relativity?

This is essentially a "homework question", but I'm not looking for an explicit solution so I have posted it here. 1. Homework Statement Find a simplified expression for the Riemann tensor in terms of the connection in normal coordinates. 2. Homework Equations Riemann tensor =...

show that in two dimensions, the Riemann tensor takes the form R_{abcd}=R g_{a[c}g_{d]b}. i've expanded the RHS to get R g_{a[c}g_{d]b}=\frac{R}{2!} [g_{ac} g_{db} - g_{ad} g_{cb}]=\frac{1}{2} R_e{}^e [g_{ac} g_{db} - g_{ad} g_{cb}] but i can't seem to simplify it down. this is problem...

i need to show that R_{abc}{}^{e} g_{ed} + R_{abd}{}^{e} g_{ce}=(\nabla_a \nabla_b - \nabla_b \nabla_a) g_{cd} = 0 ok well i know that R_{abc}{}^{d} \omega_d=(\nabla_a \nabla_b - \nabla_b \nabla_a) \omega_c so i reckon that R_{abc}{}^{e} g_{ed} = (\nabla_a \nabla_b - \nabla_b \nabla_a)...

Hello folks, this is going to be a bit longish, but please bear with me, I'm going nuts over this. For a term paper I am working through a paper on higher dimensional spacetimes by Andrew, Bolen and Middleton. You can http://arxiv.org/abs/0708.0373" . My problem/confusion is in...

Suppose you have a spacetime with an observer at rest at the origin, and the surface at t = 0 going through the origin, and passing through the surface there are geodesics along increasing time. Then as you get a small ways away from the surface, the geodesics start to deviate from each other...

why does the einstein field tensor have the riemann tensor contracted? I am confused as to what purpose it serves. I have seen an explanation that it gets rid of extra information about spacetime or something like that. and also is the Ricci scalar added to einstein tensor so that the covariant...

How many degrees of freedom has Riemann Tensor in general D dimensions and how it can be calculated?

A doubt..why einstein Chose Riemann Tensor for GR?..i know its covariant derivative is zero and all that..but Why Riemann tensor?...was not other tensor avaliable or simpler than that?..i studied that and found that for Geodesic deviation ( i didn,t understand that concept..sorry) the Riemann...

I always wonder how the definitions of curvatures of curves and surfaces be unified by the Riemann Tensor symbols. For surfaces, I know R_{1,2,1,2} corresponds to the Gaussian curvature of a surface. How come R_{1,1,1,1}=0 and not corresponds to the curvature of a curve in \RE^2 or in \Re^3...