Einstein equation point mass solution

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the metric for a point mass solution in the context of the Einstein equations in General Relativity (GR). The metric in spherical coordinates is presented as a matrix, highlighting the gravitational time dilation effect through the time entry \(\eta_{00}\). It is established that as the radius \(r\) approaches the Schwarzschild radius, the spatial entry \(\eta_{11}\) diverges, indicating significant gravitational effects. The conversation clarifies that while photons can remain at a constant radial coordinate at \(r=2M\), true circular orbits occur at the photon sphere located at \(r=3M\).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of General Relativity principles
  • Familiarity with the Schwarzschild solution
  • Knowledge of spherical coordinates in physics
  • Basic comprehension of the Riemann tensor and curvature concepts
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  • Study the Schwarzschild metric in detail
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  • Explore the concept of photon spheres and their significance in GR
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This discussion is beneficial for students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focusing on General Relativity, astrophysics, and cosmology, as well as anyone interested in the mathematical formulations of gravitational phenomena.

espen180
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I'm just getting a taste of computational GR, and I have a question regarding the metric for the single point mass solution for the einstein equation.

The metric in spherical coordinates for a point mass at [tex]r=0[/tex] is

[tex]\eta=\left(\begin{matrix}-\left(1-\frac{2GM}{c^2r}\right) & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \frac{1}{1-\frac{2GM}{c^2r}} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & r^2 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & r^2\sin^2\theta \end{matrix}\right)[/tex]

As expected, it is symmetrical wrt angle, and I recognize [tex]\eta_{00}[/tex] (time entry) as the negativa square of the gravitational time dilation constant.

The spatial [tex]\eta_{11}[/tex] entry for radius goes to infinity as r approaches the swartzschild radius. At this radius, photons can orbit the point mass.

Is the a way to compute the curvature of space and of space-time a radius r away from the sphere without computing the entire Riemann tensor?
 
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espen180 said:
At this radius, photons can orbit the point mass.

Not really, though. At r=2M, photons directed radially outward stay at constant radial coordinate, but I wouldn't call this an orbit. The photon sphere, where photons truly do move in circular orbits, is at r=3M.
 

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