Energy and Angular Momentum of a Relativistic String

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on problem 2.1.b from the textbook by Becker, Becker, and Schwarz, where the user Matthew seeks assistance in calculating the energy and angular momentum of a relativistic string. The equations provided include E=P^0, P^\mu=T\dot{X}^\mu, and J^{\mu\nu}=T\int_0^\pi d\sigma\, {X}^\mu\dot{X}^\nu-{X}^\nu\dot{X}^\mu. Matthew's calculations yield E=T and J^{12}=\frac{\pi}{2}B^2T, leading to the conclusion that \frac{E^2}{|J|}=\frac{2T}{\pi}, which he believes is incorrect due to a potential typo in the textbook.

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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, graduate students studying string theory, and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of energy and angular momentum in relativistic contexts.

dodelson
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The problem is 2.1.b in Becker, Becker, and Schwarz. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong... any help would be appreciated, I'm probably missing something dumb.

Homework Statement



For [tex]X^0=B\tau[/tex], [tex]X^1=B\cos \tau\cos\sigma[/tex], [tex]X^2=B\sin\tau\cos\sigma[/tex], [tex]X^i=0[/tex] for i>2, compute the energy and angular momentum and show that [tex]E^2|J|^{-1}=2\pi T[/tex].

Homework Equations



[tex]E=P^0[/tex]
[tex]P^\mu=T\dot{X}^\mu[/tex]
[tex]J^{\mu\nu}=T\int_0^\pi d\sigma\, {X}^\mu\dot{X}^\nu-{X}^\nu\dot{X}^\mu[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]E=T\dot{X}^0=BT[/tex],
[tex]J^{12}=B^2 T\int_0^\pi d\sigma\,\cos^2\tau\cos^2\sigma+\sin^2\tau\cos^2\sigma=\frac{\pi}{2}B^2T[/tex]
[tex]\frac{E^2}{|J|}=\frac{2T}{\pi}[/tex],

which is off by a factor of [tex]\pi^2[/tex]. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Matthew
 
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I'm actually fairly convinced that this is a typo in the book, so don't spend as much time on it as I did...
 

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