Get Standard Units Flux Multiply c^2: Perfect Fluid/Einstein's Dust

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy-momentum tensor components, specifically T^ij, and their implications for calculating flux in the context of perfect fluids and Einstein's "dust." Participants explore the relationships between energy density, momentum density, and flux, considering different conventions for the factors of c.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that to obtain standard units of flux, one should multiply the T^0i components by c^2, questioning if this corresponds to momentum across a surface.
  • Another participant proposes that to achieve normal dimensions for components as momentum per volume or mass, one might consider dividing by c instead of multiplying.
  • A participant expresses a desire to express flux across a surface in terms of the tensor components, seeking clarification on how to do this.
  • It is noted that to obtain energy flux with dimensions of energy per area per time from T^ij components set as energy per volume, one might multiply by c.
  • Clarification is provided that T^01, T^02, and T^03 correspond to energy flux, while other components relate to energy density and momentum density.
  • Another participant states that the T^0i components alone yield momentum flux without the c factor.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the conventions used in defining the four-velocity and the implications for the energy-momentum tensor, noting that definitions can vary across literature.
  • Mathematical expressions are provided to illustrate the relationships between the components of the energy-momentum tensor, energy density, and momentum current density.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriate factors to use when relating the components of the energy-momentum tensor to flux, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence on conventions regarding the factors of c and the definitions of four-velocity, which may affect the interpretation of the energy-momentum tensor components.

dsaun777
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TL;DR
Just clarification on components.
The T^0i the components of the energy momentum tensor that correspond to mass flux and/or momentum density. If I wanted to get standard units of flux I would just multiply by c^2 correct? It is the ith component of momentum across the kth surface? I am thinking of an example in particular that relates to either a perfect fluid or Einstein's "dust".
 
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Hi.
Starting from the formalism of T^ij for the case,
[tex]T^{ij}=\rho u^iu^j[/tex]
, here I omit pressure for simple writing, all the components has dimension same as ##\rho##, energy per volume. If you want to give normal dimension to some components as momentum per volume or mass, i.e. energy/c^2, flux, how about dividing them by c?
 
mitochan said:
Hi.
Starting from the formalism of T^ij for the case,
[tex]T^{ij}=\rho u^iu^j[/tex]
, here I omit pressure for simple writing, all the components has dimension same as ##\rho##, energy per volume. If you want to give normal dimension to some components as momentum per volume or mass, i.e. energy/c^2, flux, how about dividing them by c?
I want to Express flux across a surface on terms of the components of the tensor, how would I do this?
 
In order to get energy flux whose dimension is energy / area・time from corresponding T^ij components that I have set as energy/volume in my previous post, how about multiplying c ?
 
Not all the components but T^01,T^02 and T^03 which corresponds to energy flux. Other components correspond to energy density, momentum density and 3D stress tensor.
 
Just the T^0i components alone without multiplying by c factor give you momentum flux right
 
I'm not sure what you want to achieve since your equation gives the energy-momentum tensor of freely moving particles, where ##\rho## is the density of invariant mass (defined in the usual way as mass per spatial volume in the (local) rest frame of the particles).

It depends a bit on your conventions, concerning the factors of ##c^2##. It's not uniquely defined in the literature, what's meant by ##u^{\mu}##. In some textbooks one defines the four-velocity as having the dimension of a velocity ("length per time"). Then it's normalized as ##u_{\mu} u^{\mu}=c^2##. In other books one uses the (usually more convenient) definition ##\tilde{u}^{\mu}=u^{\mu}/c##, because then you can use it to project to local restframes simply without writing all the factors of ##c## since, of course, in this convention you have ##\tilde{u}_{\mu} \tilde{u}^{\mu}=1##.

Now let's write
$$T^{\mu \nu} = \rho_0(x) u^{\mu}(x) u^{\nu}(x).$$
In terms of the usual three-velocity ##\vec{v}## you have
$$u^{\mu}=\gamma \begin{pmatrix} c \\ \vec{v} \end{pmatrix}.$$
Now the time-time component is seen to be
$$T^{00}=\rho_0 \gamma^2 c^2$$
This is the energy density component in this reference frame, i.e.,
$$\epsilon=\rho_0 \gamma^2.$$
Then the space-time components are
$$T^{j0}=\rho_0 \gamma^2 c v^j=\epsilon/c v^j.$$
This is the energy current density, and thus
$$g^{j}=T^{j0}/c=\epsilon/c^2 v^j$$
the momentum current density.
 
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