Energy-momentum tensor perfect fluid raise index

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy-momentum tensor for a perfect fluid in the context of general relativity, specifically focusing on the raising of indices using the metric tensor. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the components of the tensor and the properties of the Kronecker delta in a four-dimensional spacetime.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to compute the raised index form of the energy-momentum tensor and questions their understanding of the Kronecker delta's properties in relation to the metric tensor.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide clarifications regarding the properties of the Kronecker delta, noting the distinction between its values when indices are equal versus when they are summed over. The conversation indicates a productive exchange of ideas, with participants exploring the implications of the Einstein summation convention.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the correct interpretation of the Kronecker delta in the context of the metric tensor and its contraction, highlighting potential misunderstandings about index notation in four-dimensional spacetime.

binbagsss
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Homework Statement



This should be pretty simple and I guess I am doing something stupid?

##T_{bv}=(p+\rho)U_bU_v-\rho g_{bv}##
compute ##T^u_v##:
##T^0_0=\rho, T^i_i=-p##

Homework Equations



##U^u=\delta^t_u##
##g_{uv}## is the FRW metric,in particular ##g_{tt}=1##
##g^{bu}T_{bv}=T^u_v##
## g^{ab}g_{ca}=\delta^{(4)b} _c=4## if b=c(where I haven't paid attention to order of the indices when lowering and raising since both metric and energy-momentum tensor are symmetric objects)

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
##T^u_v=g^{bu}T_{bv}=g^{bu}(p+\rho)U_bU_v-\rho g_{bv}g^{bu}##
##= (p+\rho)U^bU_v-p\delta^u_v##

similarly ##U^u=\delta^u_t##

Now I get the correct components if ##\delta^u_v=1 ## but ## \delta^u_v=4 ## if u=v because we are in 4d-d space-time I thought?

Many thanks
 
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binbagsss said:
## g^{ab}g_{ca}=\delta^{(4)b} _c=4## if b=c

This is wrong. ##\delta^{b} _c## is ##1## if ##b=c## and ##0## otherwise. You may be confusing it with ##\delta^b_b## which is ##4## because the repeated index b is summed over.
 
Dick said:
This is wrong. ##\delta^{b} _c## is ##1## if ##b=c## and ##0## otherwise. You may be confusing it with ##\delta^b_b## which is ##4## because the repeated index b is summed over.
Omg ok thanks

But I got this from contracting over the metric, I had it in my head this was ##4## for some reason but . Ahh but I guess it's the same idea so I had:
## g_{ab}g^{ac}=\delta^b_c##
as a pose to ##g_{ab}g^{ab}=4=\delta^b_b##?
 
binbagsss said:
Omg ok thanks

But I got this from contracting over the metric, I had it in my head this was ##4## for some reason but . Ahh but I guess it's the same idea so I had:
## g_{ab}g^{ac}=\delta^b_c##
as a pose to ##g_{ab}g^{ab}=4=\delta^b_b##?

Right. The difference comes from the Einstein summation convention.
 
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