Ex. 19 Gauge Fields, Knots & Gravity: Is Rotation Correct?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Exercise 19, which involves the pushforward of coordinate vector fields under a counterclockwise rotation by angle θ in R². The correct transformation is established as φ_*∂_x = (cos(θ))∂_x + (sin(θ))∂_y and φ_*∂_y = (-sin(θ))∂_x + (cos(θ))∂_y. Participants confirm that the pushforward results in a rotation of vectors, and the calculations validate the expected outcomes. Additionally, a link to the errata for the relevant textbook is provided for further reference.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector fields in R²
  • Familiarity with the concept of pushforward in differential geometry
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their applications in transformations
  • Basic proficiency in calculus, particularly with smooth functions (C^{\infty})
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of pushforward in differential geometry
  • Learn about coordinate transformations and their implications in vector calculus
  • Explore the applications of rotation matrices in linear algebra
  • Review the errata for the relevant textbook to clarify any potential misunderstandings
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone studying differential geometry or vector calculus will benefit from this discussion, particularly those focusing on transformations and rotations in R².

ergospherical
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Wanted to check with you guys that I'm not going crazy...

Exercise 19: Let ##\phi : \mathbf{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbf{R}^2## be a counterclockwise rotation by angle ##\theta##. Let ##\partial_x, \partial_y## be the coordinate vector fields on ##\mathbf{R}^2##. Show, at any point of ##\mathbf{R}^2##, that ##\phi_*\partial_x = (\cos{\theta})\partial_x - (\sin{\theta}) \partial_y## and also ##\phi_*\partial_y = (\sin{\theta})\partial_x + (\cos{\theta})\partial_y##

The effect of the pushforward is just a rotation of the vectors, so presumably one would instead expect ##\phi_* \partial_x = (\cos{\theta})\partial_x + (\sin{\theta})\partial_y##, right?

The rotation is ##(x,y) \mapsto \phi(x,y) = (x\cos{\theta} - y\sin{\theta}, \ x\sin{\theta} + y\cos{\theta})##. Let ##f \in C^{\infty}(\mathbf{R}^2)## be a test function, then the pushforward of ##\partial_x## is\begin{align*}
((\phi_* \partial_x)(f))(\phi(x),\phi(y)) &= (\partial_x(\phi^* f))(x,y) \\
&= (\partial_x (f \circ \phi))(x,y) \\
\end{align*}One can determine the ##x##-component of ##\phi_* \partial_x## by letting ##f=x##,\begin{align*}
((\phi_* \partial_x)(x))(\phi(x),\phi(y)) &= (\partial_x(x \circ \phi))(x,y) \\
&= (\partial_x(x\cos{\theta} - y\sin{\theta}))(x,y) \\
&= \cos{\theta}
\end{align*}Similarly, put ##f=y## to obtain ##((\phi_* \partial_x)(y))(\phi(x),\phi(y)) = \sin{\theta}##. Then\begin{align*}
\phi_* \partial_x = (\cos{\theta})\partial_x + (\sin{\theta})\partial_y
\end{align*}as before. I haven't misread something?
 
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I agree with your conclusion. Alternatively, consider curve ##\gamma: t \mapsto (t,a)##, which has ##\partial_x## as its tangent vector. You will find that ##\phi \circ \gamma (t) = (t \cos\theta - a \sin\theta, t \sin\theta + a \cos\theta)##, which clearly has the tangent vector ##\cos\theta \partial_x + \sin\theta \partial_y##.
 
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Is there an errata for the errata? :wink:
1641022076628.png
 

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