Christofle symbol and determinant of metric tensor

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving certain relations involving the metric tensor and its determinant in the context of General Relativity (GR). Participants explore mathematical identities and properties related to the metric tensor and its derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether they can prove a relation by changing indices in the first term of an equation involving the metric tensor.
  • Another participant confirms that index change is valid, emphasizing the symmetry of the metric tensor.
  • A different participant introduces the definition of the determinant of the metric and poses a question about proving a specific equation involving the determinant and its derivative.
  • One participant mentions that they previously proved an identity involving the determinant of the metric but does not provide a specific method for the current problem.
  • Another participant states that the square root of the determinant of the metric is a tensor density of weight one and provides a relation involving the covariant derivative of this quantity.
  • A suggestion is made to consult a specific textbook for a more extensive derivation of the discussed concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of confidence in their approaches to proving the equations, with no consensus reached on a definitive method or solution. Some participants provide supportive comments, while others express uncertainty about their own reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully resolve the mathematical steps involved in the proofs, and there are assumptions regarding the properties of the metric tensor and its determinant that remain unexamined.

off-diagonal
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Hi, every one I'm newbie here. I have a few problem with my study about GR.
Here's a problem

\partial_a(g^{ad})g_{cd}-\partial_d(g^{ad})g_{ac}=\\0


Could I prove these relation by change index (in 1st term ) from a -> d and also d -> a?

and let's defined {g}=det{\\g_{ab}\\}



{g^{ab}}\partial_c(\\g_{ab})=\frac{1}{g} \partial_c(\\g)

How I prove these equation ? Any one got an idea?
 
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off-diagonal said:
Could I prove these relation by change index (in 1st term ) from a -> d and also d -> a?
Yes. (You also have to use that the metric is a symmetric tensor: g_{ab}=g_{ba}).

off-diagonal said:
{g^{ab}}\partial_c(\\g_{ab})=\frac{1}{g} \partial_c(\\g)

How I prove these equation ? Any one got an idea?
I haven't given much thought to this specific identity, but the only time I proved an identity involving the determinant of the metric, I had to use this crap.
 
off-diagonal said:
and let's defined {g}=det{\\g_{ab}\\}



{g^{ab}}\partial_c(\\g_{ab})=\frac{1}{g} \partial_c(\\g)

How I prove these equation ? Any one got an idea?

By definition \sqrt{-g} is a tensor density of weight one. As a consequence of this and the fact that the covariant derivative of the metric is zero, one has the result

\nabla_a\sqrt{-g} = \partial_a\sqrt{-g} - \Gamma^b_{\phantom{b}ab}\sqrt{-g} = 0

It's trivial to go from here to the result you want to prove.
 
You can check Ray d'Inverno's book on GR; in chapter 7 I believe he derives these things quite extensively :)
 

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