Deriving perfect fluid energy tensor from point particles

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves deriving the energy-momentum tensor for a perfect fluid from a system of discrete point particles. The original poster presents a mathematical expression for the energy-momentum tensor of point particles and seeks to understand how to transition to the perfect fluid form, particularly under conditions of isotropic velocity distribution among the particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to interpret "smooth over" as averaging and considers an integral approach to derive the perfect fluid energy-momentum tensor. They express uncertainty about the next steps in their calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have acknowledged the original poster's request for help and have encouraged sharing of potential solutions. There is mention of a previous solution found online, which may provide context or insight, but no consensus or clear direction has been established yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates a lack of clarity on how to proceed with the integral they proposed, reflecting potential gaps in their understanding of the mathematical framework involved. Additionally, there is a reference to another thread that may contain relevant information, suggesting that the discussion could benefit from cross-referencing existing solutions.

mjordan2nd
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Homework Statement


[
For a system of discrete point particles the energy momentum takes the form

T_{\mu \nu} = \sum_a \frac{p_\mu^{(a)}p_\nu^{(a)}}{p^{0(a)}} \delta^{(3)}(\vec{x}-\vec{x}^{(a)}),

where the index a labels the different particles. Show that, for a dense collection of particles with isotropically distributed velocities, we can smooth over the individual particle worldlines to obtain the perfect-fluid energy-momentum tensor.

Homework Equations


[/B]
Energy-momentum tensor of a perfect fluid:

T^{\mu \nu} = (\rho + p)U^\mu U^\nu + p \eta^{\mu \nu}.

Here \rho is the rest-frame energy density, p the isotropic rest-frame pressure, and U the four-velocity.

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not really sure how to approach this problem. I would assume "smooth over" means average, so the only thing I can think of trying is

\Delta s = \int \sqrt{\eta_{\mu \nu} \frac{dx^\mu}{d \lambda} \frac{dx^\nu}{d \lambda}} d \! \lambda,

T_{\mu \nu} = \frac{1}{\Delta s} \int \sum_a \frac{p_\mu^{(a)}p_\nu^{(a)}}{p^{0(a)}} \delta^{(3)}(\vec{x}-\vec{x}^{(a)}) \sqrt{\eta_{\mu \nu} \frac{dx^\mu}{d \lambda} \frac{dx^\nu}{d \lambda}} d \! \lambda,

but I'm not sure how to proceed with this integral, or if this is even the right approach. Can someone help me figure out how to approach this problem?
 
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Go ahead and post your solution and we can go from there.
 

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