Construction of metric from tensor products of vectors

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SUMMARY

The metric ##g_{\mu \nu}## of spacetime is constructed using tensor products of vectors, specifically unit vectors, with one vector designated as ##A##. The equation governing this construction is ##g_{\mu \nu} = \lambda \frac{A_\mu A_\nu}{g^{\alpha \beta} A_\alpha A_\beta} + ...##. The differentiation of this metric with respect to vector ##A## introduces a term ##A_\alpha A_\beta \frac{\partial g^{\alpha\beta}}{\partial A_\tau}##, which raises questions about its value. The discussion centers on determining whether this expression is zero or equivalent to ##A^\alpha A^\beta \frac{\partial g_{\alpha\beta}}{\partial A_\tau}##.

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gerald V
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The metric ##g_{\mu \nu}## of spacetime shall be constructed from tensor products of vectors (relevant are the unit vectors in the respective directions). One such vector shall be called ##A##.

Homework Equations


##g_{\mu \nu} = \lambda \frac{A_\mu A_\nu}{g^{\alpha \beta} A_\alpha A_\beta} + ...##, where neither ##\lambda## nor the further terms shall involve ##A##. Now ##g## shall be differentiated w.r.t. ##A##, this is ##\frac{\partial g_{\mu\nu}}{\partial A_\tau}## .[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


Everything works fine except one term originating from differentiating the denominator. It contains a factor ##A_\alpha A_\beta \frac{\partial g^{\alpha\beta}}{\partial A_\tau}##. I have no idea what to do with this expression. Is it zero? Or is it equal to to ##A^\alpha A^\beta \frac{\partial g_{\alpha\beta}}{\partial A_\tau}##? Or what else?

Many thanks for any advice.
 
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gerald V said:
It contains a factor ##A_\alpha A_\beta \frac{\partial g^{\alpha\beta}}{\partial A_\tau}##. I have no idea what to do with this expression.

To find an expression for this factor, contact ##g_{\mu \nu} = \lambda \frac{A_\mu A_\nu}{g^{\alpha \beta} A_\alpha A_\beta} + ...## with ##A^\mu A ^\nu##, and take the derivative with respect to ##A_\tau##.
 
gerald V said:
It contains a factor ##A_\alpha A_\beta \frac{\partial g^{\alpha\beta}}{\partial A_\tau}##. I have no idea what to do with this expression. Is it zero? Or is it equal to to ##A^\alpha A^\beta \frac{\partial g_{\alpha\beta}}{\partial A_\tau}##? Or what else?

Actually, it might be better to look at
$$0 = \frac{\partial}{\partial A_\tau} \left( \delta^\alpha_\beta \right) .$$
 

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