Field of Point Mass: MTW Ex 7.3C Solution

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the derivation of the term h00 in the context of the Laplace equation as presented in MTW's "Gravitation," specifically in Exercise 7.3C. The equation is reformulated to show that the divergence of the perturbed metric tensor, \(\nabla\cdot (\nabla\bar{h}_{\mu \nu })\), equals \(-16\pi T_{\mu \nu }\). The application of Gauss' Law leads to the relationship \(4\pi r^2 |\nabla\bar{h}_{00}|=-16\pi M\), clarifying the origin of the \(1/r\) term and the disappearance of the \(16\pi\) factor in the static case.

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  • Knowledge of tensor calculus, specifically the perturbed metric tensor
  • Basic concepts of energy-momentum tensors in general relativity
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Students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those studying general relativity and gravitational field equations, will benefit from this discussion.

zn5252
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hello,
Please see attached snapshot. My question is regarding the way MTW found the term h00 or just for the hbar from equation 7.
Now since we are in the static case, Equation 7 becomes a Laplacian. But I could not figure out how the 1/r term came to be and where did the 16Pi go ?
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks,
 

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Write the Laplace equation as the following:

[tex]\nabla\cdot (\nabla\bar{h}_{\mu \nu })=-16\pi T_{\mu \nu }[/tex]

Now apply Gauss' Law:

[tex]\int \nabla\cdot (\nabla\bar{h}_{\mu \nu })d^3 x=\int (\nabla\bar{h}_{\mu \nu })\cdot \mathbf{n}d^2x= -16\pi \int T_{\mu \nu }d^3x[/tex]

[tex]4\pi r^2 |\nabla\bar{h}_{00}|=-16\pi M[/tex]

I'll let you take it from there.
 

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