GR algebra pretty much (weak limit thm)

In summary, the conversation is about a problem in the weak limit theorem to recover Newtonian equations using algebra and the metric tensor. The question is regarding the use of two conventions for the flat space metric tensor and how to show that \partial_i = -\partial^i.
  • #1
binbagsss
1,325
12

Homework Statement


Hi

I am stuck on a small algebra set in the weak limit theorem to recover Newtonian equations

The text I am looking at:

##\frac{d^2x^i}{ds^2}+\Gamma^i_{tt}\frac{dt}{ds}\frac{dt}{ds}=0## (1)

##\Gamma^{i}_{tt}=-1/2 \eta^{ij}\partial_{j}h_{tt} ## (to first oder in the metric ##h_{uv}##) (2)

##dt/ds \approx 1##
and so using (2), (1) becomes:

##\frac{d^2 x^i}{ds^2}=-1/2\partial_ih_{tt}## (3)

MY QUESTION

##-1/2\eta^{ij}\partial_jh_{tt}## in (2)
##= -1/2 \partial^{i} h_tt ##

So for (3) I am getting

##\frac{d^2 x^i}{ds^2}=1/2\partial^ih_{tt}##

Im really confused how

##-1/2\eta^{ij}\partial_jh_{tt}=1/2\partial_{i}h_{tt}## , or at least that is what it looks like has been done.

Many thanks

Homework Equations



see above[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


see above
 
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  • #2
There are two conventions for the flat space metric tensor (in Cartesian coordinates):
  1. [itex]\eta^{tt} = +1, \eta^{xx} = \eta^{yy} = \eta^{zz} =-1[/itex] (all the other components zero)
  2. [itex]\eta^{tt} = -1, \eta^{xx} = \eta^{yy} = \eta^{zz} =+1[/itex] (all the other components zero)
If they are using the first convention, then [itex]\partial_i = - \partial^i[/itex].
 
  • #3
stevendaryl said:
There are two conventions for the flat space metric tensor (in Cartesian coordinates):
  1. [itex]\eta^{tt} = +1, \eta^{xx} = \eta^{yy} = \eta^{zz} =-1[/itex] (all the other components zero)
  2. [itex]\eta^{tt} = -1, \eta^{xx} = \eta^{yy} = \eta^{zz} =+1[/itex] (all the other components zero)
If they are using the first convention, then [itex]\partial_i = - \partial^i[/itex].

I have ##\eta^{ij}\partial_{j}=-\partial^i ## , don't know how to show [itex]\partial_i = - \partial^i[/itex]. ( well since ##\eta## is diagonal I know I really have ##i=j## but to keep the index notation clear..)
 
  • #4
binbagsss said:
I have ##\eta^{ij}\partial_{j}=-\partial^i ## , don't know how to show [itex]\partial_i = - \partial^i[/itex]. ( well since ##\eta## is diagonal I know I really have ##i=j## but to keep the index notation clear..)

In the usual tensor notation, [itex]\partial_\mu \equiv \sum_{\nu} \eta_{\mu \nu} \partial^\nu[/itex] where [itex]\eta_{\mu \nu}[/itex] is the metric tensor. So if [itex]\eta_{\mu \nu}[/itex] is diagonal with diagonal entries [itex](+1, -1, -1, -1)[/itex], then

[itex]\partial_t = \partial^t[/itex]
[itex]\partial_x = - \partial^x[/itex]
[itex]\partial_y = - \partial^y[/itex]
[itex]\partial_z = - \partial^z[/itex]
 

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GR algebra pretty much (weak limit thm) is a mathematical concept in the field of general relativity that helps to understand the behavior of weak gravitational fields. It is a mathematical formulation that describes the weak limit of Einstein's field equations.

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