Continuity in weak field approx.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving the continuity equation in the context of a weak field approximation in general relativity, specifically focusing on the relationship between the energy-momentum tensor and the connection coefficients. The original poster presents a mathematical formulation involving the metric tensor and connection coefficients, aiming to clarify a sign discrepancy encountered during the derivation process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the continuity equation from the divergence of the energy-momentum tensor, questioning the sign of a term related to the connection coefficients. They express confusion over obtaining a positive sign instead of the required negative sign in the context of the continuity equation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the mathematical details and implications of the weak field approximation. The original poster has articulated a specific concern regarding a sign error in their derivation, inviting others to identify potential mistakes in their reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption of a weak field approximation where non-diagonal terms of the metric tensor are considered zero, and specific conditions on the variables are imposed (e.g., \( -1 << \phi < 0 \)). The original poster has also provided context regarding the physical interpretations of the variables involved.

adamdunne
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Given c=1, weak field approx for g: g(/mu,mu)=eta(/mu,mu)-2phi
Derive eqn contiuity: d(rho)/dt+u(j)rho,j=-rho u(j/),j (all der. partial)
Given T(mu,nu/)=(rho+p)u(mu/)cross u(nu/)+pg(mu,nu/)
using divergenceT =0 i.e.T(mu,nu/;nu)=0:

Step in the proof is Gamma(0/mu,j)u(mu)=-phi,j

I get phi,j instead of -phi,j for this.

Steps:Gamma(0/alpha,j)u(alpha/)=Gamma(0/0j)u(0/)+Gamma(0/jj)u(j/)
The last term is zero since phi,0=0 and Gamma(/0jj)=phi,0
The first term, Gamma(0/0j)u(0/)=Gamma(0/0j)=g(00/)Gamma(/00j)
=(-1)(-phi,0)=phi,0.
For the proof to work, this term must be -phi,j
Anyone see how?
 
Last edited:
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Suggestion: re-write that in LaTeX.

Learn LaTeX here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=8997

It's easy, it takes a second. click on the desired latex image to see how it was written. ex: click on this to see the code I used,

[tex]\frac{d\rho}{dt}[/tex]
 
latex of problem

Given:
c:=1
Weak field approximation: [itex]g^{\mu\mu}=\eta^{\mu\mu}-2\phi[/itex]
Non-diagonal terms zero; [itex]-1<<\phi<0[/itex]
[tex]T^{\mu\nu}=(\rho+p)u^\mu\otimes u^\nu+pg^{\mu\nu}[/tex] [tex]u^j=v^j\equiv\frac{dx^j}{dt}<<1[/tex];[tex]p<<\rho[/tex];[tex]u^0\approx1[/tex];[tex]u^0_,\alpha\approx 0[/tex]
Then one readily derives the connection-coefficents:
[tex]\Gamma_{\alpha\alpha\alpha}=-\phi,_\alpha[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma_{\alpha\alpha\beta}=\Gamma_{\alpha\beta\alpha}=-\phi_,\alpha[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma_{alpha\beta\beta}=phi_,\alpha[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma^0{ }_{\alpha\beta}=g^{00}\Gamma_{0alpha\beta}\approx-\Gamma_{0\alpha\beta}[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma^j{}_{\alpha\beta}=g^{jj}\Gamma_{j\alpha\beta}=\Gamma_{j\alpha\beta}[/tex]

In applying the eqn [itex]T^{\mu\nu}_{;\nu}=0[/itex] one gets 4 eqns for [itex]\mu\nu=[/itex]00 0j j0 jj

In one of these eqns is the term: [itex]\Gamma^0{ }_{\alpha j}u^\alpha[/itex]
This=[itex]\Gamma^0{ }_{0j}u^0+\Gamma^0{}_{jj}u^j[/itex]
The last term is zero since [itex]\phi_,0=0[/itex]
The first term I get as [itex]\Gamma^0{ }_{0j}=g^{00}\Gamma_{00j}\approx(-1)(-\phi_,j)=+\phi,j/[/itex]
Whereas to get the eqn continuity, the whole point of the exercise,
[tex]\frac{\partial\rho}{\partial t}+v^j\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial x^j}=-\rho\frac{\partial v^j}{\partial x^j}[/tex]
the above term must be negative
Anyone see where the sign mistake is?
 
Latex Problem(tidied up)

Given:
c:=1
Weak field approximation: [itex]g^{\mu\mu}=\eta^{\mu\mu}-2\phi[/itex]
Non-diagonal terms zero; [itex]-1<<\phi<0[/itex]
[tex]T^{\mu\nu}=(\rho+p)u^\mu\otimes u^\nu+pg^{\mu\nu}[/tex] [tex]u^j=v^j\equiv\frac{dx^j}{dt}<<1[/tex]
[tex]p<<\rho[/tex];[tex]u^0\approx1[/tex]
[tex]u^0,_\alpha\approx 0[/tex]
Then one readily derives the connection-coefficents:
[tex]\Gamma_{\alpha\alpha\alpha}=-\phi,_\alpha[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma_{\alpha\alpha\beta}=\Gamma_{\alpha\beta\alpha}=-\phi,_\alpha[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma_{alpha\beta\beta}=\phi_,\alpha[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma^0{ }_{\alpha\beta}=g^{00}\Gamma_{0alpha\beta}\approx-\Gamma_{0\alpha\beta}[/tex]
[tex]\Gamma^j{}_{\alpha\beta}=g^{jj}\Gamma_{j\alpha\beta}=\Gamma_{j\alpha\beta}[/tex]

In applying the eqn [itex]T^{\mu\nu}_{ ;\nu}=0[/itex] one gets 4 eqns for [itex]\mu\nu=[/itex]00 0j j0 jj

In one of these eqns is the term: [itex]\Gamma^0{ }_{\alpha j}u^\alpha[/itex]
This=[itex]\Gamma^0{ }_{0j}u^0+\Gamma^0{}_{jj}u^j[/itex]
The last term is zero since [itex]\phi,_0=0[/itex]
The first term I get as [itex]\Gamma^0{ }_{0j}=g^{00}\Gamma_{00j}\approx(-1)(-\phi,_j)=+\phi,_j/[/itex]
Whereas to get the eqn continuity, the whole point of the exercise,
[tex]\frac{\partial\rho}{\partial t}+v^j\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial x^j}=-\rho\frac{\partial v^j}{\partial x^j}[/tex]
the above term must be negative
Anyone see where the sign mistake is?
 

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