Calculate curvature by coordinate component method

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the calculation of curvature using the coordinate component method as outlined in Wald's General Relativity. The key equations include the covariant derivative equation \(\nabla_b \omega_c = \partial_b \omega_c - \Gamma^d_{bc} \omega_d\) and the double covariant derivative \(\nabla_a \nabla_b \omega_c\). The Riemann tensor is defined as \(R^a_{bcd} \omega_d = \nabla_a \nabla_b \omega_c - \nabla_b \nabla_a \omega_c\). The user seeks clarification on the cancellation of specific terms in the derivation, particularly \(\Gamma^d_{b \partial_a} \omega_d\) and \(\Gamma^e_{c[a \partial_b]} \omega_e\).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of covariant derivatives in differential geometry
  • Familiarity with the Riemann curvature tensor
  • Knowledge of the metric connection and its properties
  • Proficiency in tensor calculus and index notation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the Riemann curvature tensor in detail
  • Review the derivation of the covariant derivative and its applications in General Relativity
  • Explore the implications of the symmetry of the metric connection on tensor equations
  • Investigate the conditions under which terms cancel in tensor equations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for graduate students in physics, researchers in General Relativity, and mathematicians specializing in differential geometry who are looking to deepen their understanding of curvature calculations and covariant derivatives.

PhyPsy
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
I'm trying to follow the math in Wald's General Relativity where he starts out with the equation for covariant derivative:
[itex]\nabla[/itex]b[itex]\omega[/itex]c = [itex]\partial[/itex]b[itex]\omega[/itex]c - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]dbc[itex]\omega[/itex]d

He uses that to derive the equation for a double covariant derivative:
[itex]\nabla[/itex]a[itex]\nabla[/itex]b[itex]\omega[/itex]c = [itex]\partial[/itex]a([itex]\partial[/itex]b[itex]\omega[/itex]c - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]dbc[itex]\omega[/itex]d) - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]eab([itex]\partial[/itex]e[itex]\omega[/itex]c - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]dec[itex]\omega[/itex]d) - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]eac([itex]\partial[/itex]b[itex]\omega[/itex]e - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]dbe[itex]\omega[/itex]d)

Now, using the Riemann tensor definition Rabcd[itex]\omega[/itex]d = [itex]\nabla[/itex]a[itex]\nabla[/itex]b[itex]\omega[/itex]c - [itex]\nabla[/itex]b[itex]\nabla[/itex]a[itex]\omega[/itex]c, this equation is derived:
Rabcd[itex]\omega[/itex]d = [itex]\partial[/itex][a[itex]\partial[/itex]b][itex]\omega[/itex]c - [itex]\omega[/itex]d[itex]\partial[/itex][a[itex]\Gamma[/itex]db]c - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]dc[b[itex]\partial[/itex]a][itex]\omega[/itex]d - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]e[ab]([itex]\partial[/itex]e[itex]\omega[/itex]c - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]dec[itex]\omega[/itex]d) - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]ec[a[itex]\partial[/itex]b][itex]\omega[/itex]e - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]ec[a[itex]\Gamma[/itex]db]e[itex]\omega[/itex]d

I know that the term [itex]\partial[/itex][a[itex]\partial[/itex]b][itex]\omega[/itex]c cancels, and, due to the symmetry of the metric connection, [itex]\Gamma[/itex]e[ab]([itex]\partial[/itex]e[itex]\omega[/itex]c - [itex]\Gamma[/itex]dec[itex]\omega[/itex]d) also cancels, but the next step in the book also has a couple other terms canceled out:
[itex]\Gamma[/itex]dc[b[itex]\partial[/itex]a][itex]\omega[/itex]d, and
[itex]\Gamma[/itex]ec[a[itex]\partial[/itex]b][itex]\omega[/itex]e

I don't see how these terms cancel. Can someone help me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
We can substitute ##e## by ##d## without changing anything. Now what is left is the condition ##{}_b\partial_a+{}_a\partial_b = 0##.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K