Dirac's coordinates ##(\tau, \rho)## for the Schwarzschild metric with ##r \le 2m##

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on Dirac's coordinate system ##(\tau, \rho)## for the Schwarzschild metric, particularly in the region where ##r \le 2m##. Participants explore the properties of these coordinates, their relationship to other coordinate systems, and seek to identify any specific names associated with them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the transformation equations for the coordinates ##(\tau, \rho)## and notes their lack of coordinate singularity at ##r=2m##.
  • Another participant questions whether there is a specific name for these coordinates and suggests they might be related to Lemaitre coordinates.
  • A later reply acknowledges a potential typo in the original equations and confirms a correction was made.
  • Another participant references an analysis of these coordinates found in Landau & Lifshitz Vol 2, indicating further exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the naming of the coordinates and whether they are specifically attributable to Dirac or related to Lemaitre coordinates. The discussion remains unresolved on this point.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential typos in the transformation equations, and the discussion involves assumptions about the relationships between different coordinate systems without definitive conclusions.

Kostik
Messages
274
Reaction score
32
TL;DR
Do Dirac's coordinates ##(\tau, \rho)## for the Schwarzschild metric have any recognized name?
Dirac in his "GTR" (Chap 19, page 34-35) finds a coordinate system ##(\tau, \rho)## which has no coordinate singularity at ##r=2m##. Explicitly, the transformation looks like (after some algebra):
$$\tau=t + 4m\sqrt{\frac{r}{2m}} + 2m\log{\frac{\sqrt{r/2m}-1}{\sqrt{r/2m}+1}}$$
$$\rho=t + \frac{2r}{3}\sqrt{\frac{r}{2m}} + 4m\sqrt{\frac{r}{2m}} + 2m\log{\frac{\sqrt{r/2m}-1}{\sqrt{r/2m}+1}}$$
The first coordinate ##\tau## is similar to Gullstrand–Painlevé coordinates, except for the first term with an ##r^{3/2}## factor.

Is there a specific name for these coordinates attributable to their original discoverer?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm not familiar with it, but I can have a look round later. Your last term in both expressions reduces to zero, though - presumably a typo and probably worth correcting.
 
Ibix said:
I'm not familiar with it, but I can have a look round later. Your last term in both expressions reduces to zero, though - presumably a typo and probably worth correcting.
Thanks - yes, fixed it.
 
Thanks! That looks exactly right.
 
I found a superb analysis of these coordinates in Landau & Lifshitz Vol 2.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
848
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K