Differential Forms on Smooth Manifolds

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of globally defined vector fields on a smooth manifold M that correspond to locally defined 1-forms. Participants explore the implications of the Frobenius integrability theorem and the conditions under which such vector fields can be extended from local neighborhoods to the entire manifold.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that for locally chosen 1-forms \(\omega^{1}, \omega^{2}, ... \omega^{n}\) spanning \(M^{*}_{q}\) at each point \(q\), there exist vector fields \(X_{1}, X_{2}, ..., X_{n}\) such that \(\omega^{i}(X_{j}) = \delta^{i}_{j}\) in a small neighborhood \(B\) of \(M\).
  • Another participant questions the feasibility of choosing 1-forms globally on \(M\) before addressing the extension of vector fields.
  • A different participant asserts that it is possible to find globally defined 1-forms on \(M\) that span \(M^{*}\) in a neighborhood \(B\), referencing the Frobenius integrability theorem.
  • One participant counters that such globally defined vector fields may not exist, citing the example of the sphere where nowhere vanishing vector fields cannot be constructed, suggesting that the proof may rely on locally defined fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of globally defined vector fields and the conditions under which they can be constructed. There is no consensus on whether such vector fields can be extended from local neighborhoods to the entire manifold.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on the topology of the manifold and the conditions under which vector fields can be defined, particularly in relation to the Frobenius integrability theorem.

daishin
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Let M be a smooth manifold. Locally we can choose 1-forms \omega^{1},\omega^{2},...\omega^{n} whish span M^{*}_{q} for each q. Then are there vector fields X_{1}, X_{2}, ...,X_{n} with \omega^{i}(X_{j})=\delta^{i}_{j}? Here \delta^{i}_{j} is Kronecker delta.
By vector fields, I meant vector fields on M.
I think there are such vector fields on small neighborhood B in M.(since M* is locally
trivial, we can think of M* restricted to B as B X R^n. And we can find such 1-forms w_1, w_2,...w_n which span M* at each p in B. And of course we can find vector fields X_{1}, X_{2}, ...,X_{n} on B such that
\omega^{i}(X_{j})=\delta^{i}_{j}.
But I am wondering if we can extend this vector fields to whole of M.
 
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You started with 1-forms which were chosen locally. So before answering your latter question, you should think about whether you can choose the 1-forms globally on M.
 
I think we can always find globally defined 1-forms w_1, w_2,...w_n on M which in some small neighborhood B, they span M* for each p in B. If not please correct me.
My question came from the proof of Frobenius integrability theorem in Spivak Volume 1.
It is a chapter 7 Theorem 14. He starts the proof with locally defined 1-forms w_1,w_2,...,w_n. But in the proof he says:Let X_1, X_2,... X_n be the vecor fields with
w_i(X_j)= delta^i_j. Here, I think he is referring vector fields on M.
 
In general such X does not exist since e.g. on sphere you cannot construct nowhere vanishing vector field. So I think the proof refers to locally defined fields.
 

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