Can't remember where I read this (when using the proper-time parametrization)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a specific proof related to proper-time parametrization in General Relativity (GR). Participants are trying to recall which book contained the proof that two conditions involving integrals of the metric tensor are equivalent. The scope includes references to various GR texts and the nature of proofs within them.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls a proof about the equivalence of two integral conditions in GR but cannot remember the book it was in.
  • Another participant suggests checking Zee's book, but it is later confirmed that it was not the correct reference.
  • A different participant points to a document that mentions the proof but expresses uncertainty about its validity.
  • Multiple participants mention Wheeler's "Gravitation" as a potential source, but it is dismissed by others as not being the correct text.
  • One participant identifies R. Adler, M. Bazin, and M. Schiffer's "Introduction to General Relativity" as the source of the proof, citing specific sections.
  • Another participant notes that similar proofs can be found in string theory books, although they do not consider these as GR texts.
  • There is a discussion about the difficulty of searching through large textbooks for specific proofs.
  • Participants express a desire to find the correct book for personal interest and to resolve lingering questions about the source.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct book initially, with multiple competing suggestions and some uncertainty about the validity of various references. However, a later post identifies a specific book as the source of the proof, which some participants accept.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the completeness of their recollections regarding the proofs and the specific conditions involved. There is also mention of the difficulty in verifying claims due to the size and complexity of the texts involved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers in General Relativity looking for references on proper-time parametrization and related proofs, as well as those interested in the literature surrounding GR textbooks.

ShayanJ
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A while ago, I read a proof in a book on GR that when using the proper-time parametrization, the two conditions ## \delta \int_{\lambda_1}^{\lambda_2} \sqrt{-g_{\mu\nu} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu} d\lambda=0## and ## \delta \int_{\lambda_1}^{\lambda_2} (-g_{\mu\nu} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu) d\lambda=0## are equilvalent. But then I forgot which book was it. I was able to reconstruct the proof but now I'm really curious what book was that! Does anyone know? I've checked several books so I know that not many books on GR contain such a proof.
Thanks
 
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Page 45 https://www.maths.tcd.ie/~fionnf/dg/dg.pdf mentions this, and you can prove it yourself thinking about it, but it feels weird and dirty...
 
bolbteppa said:
Page 45 https://www.maths.tcd.ie/~fionnf/dg/dg.pdf mentions this, and you can prove it yourself thinking about it, but it feels weird and dirty...
As I said in the OP, I have no problem with the proof. I just don't remember which GR book I read the proof in! So if anyone knows a GR book that contains the proof, I'll appreciate it if they let me know.
 
jedishrfu said:
One more try, Wheelers Gravitation?
No!
 
The proof can be found in most string-theory books, but I guess they don't count as GR books.
 
Shyan said:
A while ago, I read a proof in a book on GR that when using the proper-time parametrization, the two conditions ## \delta \int_{\lambda_1}^{\lambda_2} \sqrt{-g_{\mu\nu} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu} d\lambda=0## and ## \delta \int_{\lambda_1}^{\lambda_2} (-g_{\mu\nu} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu) d\lambda=0## are equilvalent. But then I forgot which book was it. I was able to reconstruct the proof but now I'm really curious what book was that! Does anyone know? I've checked several books so I know that not many books on GR contain such a proof.
Thanks
I found it! :woot:

R. Adler, M. Bazin, M. Schiffer, Introduction to General Relativity (1975)
Sec. 4.2, Eqs. (4.101)-(4.102)
 
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  • #10
jedishrfu said:
One more try, Wheelers Gravitation?
Shyan said:
No!
Misner Thorne Wheeler - Gravitation also has it:
Page 322-323, Box 13.3, Eqs. (1)-(2).
 
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  • #11
Demystifier said:
I found it! :woot:

R. Adler, M. Bazin, M. Schiffer, Introduction to General Relativity (1975)
Sec. 4.2, Eqs. (4.101)-(4.102)
Thanks, seems a nice book!
But I didn't know it at the time I read that proof. Also the book I read, precisely proves the statement by introducing ## F=\sqrt{-g_{\mu \nu} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu} ## and then showing that if ## \int_{\tau_1}^{\tau_2} F d\tau ## is extermized, ## \int_{\tau_1}^{\tau_2} \frac{F^2}{2} d\tau ## is extermized too.(About the notation, I'm only sure about the F!)

Demystifier said:
Misner Thorne Wheeler - Gravitation also has it:
Page 322-323, Box 13.3, Eqs. (1)-(2).
Well, that's a pretty big book and hard to search. But I remembered it wasn't the book I read anyway.

I have two reasons for posting this thread, first is that I like books that do such calculations and I want to read it more carefully and second is that I hate it when from time to time it comes to my mind "God, what was that book?"!
 
  • #12
Shyan said:
Thanks, seems a nice book!
But I didn't know it at the time I read that proof. Also the book I read, precisely proves the statement by introducing ## F=\sqrt{-g_{\mu \nu} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu} ## and then showing that if ## \int_{\tau_1}^{\tau_2} F d\tau ## is extermized, ## \int_{\tau_1}^{\tau_2} \frac{F^2}{2} d\tau ## is extermized too.(About the notation, I'm only sure about the F!)Well, that's a pretty big book and hard to search. But I remembered it wasn't the book I read anyway.

I have two reasons for posting this thread, first is that I like books that do such calculations and I want to read it more carefully and second is that I hate it when from time to time it comes to my mind "God, what was that book?"!

It was such an emphatic "No!" that I decided not to post further. My third choice was Adler Bazin and Schiffer as these are the three books in my library but then figured the Adler book was too old for Shyan to consider. Also, I think Zee may have it as well but since its too big to search...

In any event, I'm glad the mystery is solved. Thanks Demystifier!
 
  • #13
jedishrfu said:
It was such an emphatic "No!" that I decided not to post further. My third choice was Adler Bazin and Schiffer as these are the three books in my library but then figured the Adler book was too old for Shyan to consider. Also, I think Zee may have it as well but since its too big to search...

In any event, I'm glad the mystery is solved. Thanks Demystifier!
Looks like I should have listened to my instinct that was telling me to accompany that "no" with some excess stuff! Sorry if it didn't seem friendly.
Thanks for the help to all.
 

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