Undergrad A computation of an integral on page 344 of Schutz's textbook

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The discussion revolves around a calculation error in integrating an expression from Schutz's textbook on general relativity. The user initially misapplies the differential notation, confusing the integration of d(chi^2) with d(r^2) and the corresponding factors. Clarifications highlight that the correct integration involves d(chi) and d(r) with the appropriate square root factor. The user acknowledges the mistake and expresses gratitude for the clarification. The conversation emphasizes the importance of precise notation in mathematical integration.
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On page 344 of "A First Course in GR" he writes the following:
Consider, next, ##k=1##. Let us define a new coordinate ##\chi(r)## such that:
$$(12.16)\ \ \ d\chi^2 = \frac{dr^2}{1-r^2}$$
and ##\chi =0 ## where ##r=0##. This integrates to
$$(12.17) \ \ \ r=\sin \chi,$$
When I do the integration I get the following: ##\int_0^{\chi^2}d\chi^2= \int_0^{r^2}\frac{dr^2}{1-r^2}= \chi^2 = -\ln (1-r^2)##, after I invert the last relation I get: ##r=\sqrt{1-\exp(-\chi^2)}##, where did I go wrong in my calculation?

Thanks!
 
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You should of course integrate
$$\int \mathrm{d} \chi = \int \mathrm{d}r \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-r^2}}...$$
 
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vanhees71 said:
You should of course integrate
$$\int \mathrm{d} \chi = \int \mathrm{d}r \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-r^2}}...$$
Ah, yes you are correct. It's ##(dx)^2## and not ##d(x^2)##.
I am really getting old and sloppy... :-(
 
How do you define and Integral with ##\mathrm{d} x^2##, and it's not ##\mathrm{d} (x^2)=2x \mathrm{d} x##, because you want ##\chi## and not something else ;-).
 
vanhees71 said:
How do you define and Integral with ##\mathrm{d} x^2##, and it's not ##\mathrm{d} (x^2)=2x \mathrm{d} x##, because you want ##\chi## and not something else ;-).
I meant I thought it was ##d(\chi^2)=\frac{d(r^2)}{1-r^2}##. But now I see my mistake, thanks for clearing this simple thing.
 
MOVING CLOCKS In this section, we show that clocks moving at high speeds run slowly. We construct a clock, called a light clock, using a stick of proper lenght ##L_0##, and two mirrors. The two mirrors face each other, and a pulse of light bounces back and forth betweem them. Each time the light pulse strikes one of the mirrors, say the lower mirror, the clock is said to tick. Between successive ticks the light pulse travels a distance ##2L_0## in the proper reference of frame of the clock...

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