GR Cone Singularity Homework: Q1 & Q2 on Setting B(r=0)=0

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of singularities in the context of a metric describing a cone in general relativity. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the reasoning behind setting \( B(r=0)=0 \) and seeks clarification on the physical significance of coordinate choices and the interpretation of the metric as it relates to the geometry of a cone.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of geodesic incompleteness at the tip of a cone and question the physical significance of coordinates in relation to singularities. They also discuss the interpretation of the period of a cone and how it relates to the geometry of circular cross-sections.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the relationship between the circumference of circles at different radii and the concept of stitching edges together to form a cone. However, there remains a lack of consensus on how to define the period of a cone and its implications for the metric.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of interpreting coordinate transformations and their physical significance, particularly in the context of singularities and the geometry of space-times described by the metric.

binbagsss
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Homework Statement



question attached-
I am stuck on some of the reasoning as to why we set ##B(r=0)=0##

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please not as described in the attempt I am interested in the concepts and have not posted my solution to A, nor any solutions not relevant to the concepts I am trying to understand

Homework Equations



below

The Attempt at a Solution



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QUESTION 1
[
I understand ##r=0## and ##r=R## are going to be the 'critical ' points to look at to loose both integration constants. I am basically stuck on the concepts about the metric descrbing a cone etc.
So I understand that the tip of a cone is a singularity as it is 'geodesically incomplete'. However I am confused with the interpretation of what body\shape one claims that the metric describes, since the coordiantes have no physical meaning as they are just a way of parameterising the manifold.

So, if I can find some coordinates that take the metric to that of a cone, why do I interpret this as significant enough for me to decide that singularity is 'physical' enough for me to use it to impose constraints on ##B(r)## . i.e. there must be multiplie coordinate choices that will allow me to take it to a wide - range of shaped space-times as described by the metric, if these are all regular with no singularities I don't worry, but if there is just one such coordiante transformation that takes me to a body with a singularity I use it as a constraint- so original coordiantes that the metric is in must be such that any possible coordinate transformation from that, yields a metric that has no singularities? Bit confused with this since we said coordiantes are not physically significant.

QUESTION 2
Also, I'm actually stuck as to why this describes a cone. I see the solution comments on the period of the cone,being less than a circle of 2pi, i can see that the new angle defined clearly has a period less than 2pi, however, I have no idea of what you define the period of a cone to be ?!

many thanks


 

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If you calculate the circumference of the circle ##r=r_0##, you'd get a result that's less than ##2\pi r_0##.

You could also look at it as if you remove a wedge from a flat plane, since the period of ##\theta'## is less than ##2\pi##, and then stitched the two edges together. Do you see that you're going to end up with a cone?
 
vela said:
If you calculate the circumference of the circle ##r=r_0##, you'd get a result that's less than ##2\pi r_0##.

You could also look at it as if you remove a wedge from a flat plane, since the period of ##\theta'## is less than ##2\pi##, and then stitched the two edges together. Do you see that you're going to end up with a cone?

how do you define the period of a cone?
is each cross-section of a cone not a circle?
 
binbagsss said:
how do you define the period of a cone?
is each cross-section of a cone not a circle?

mmm as in the 2-d image i mean by 'cross section' if it's a 3d cross section, i.e. a segment then the diameter of that will decrease as you view it from the circular end of the cone approaching the tip. but would you not have to define a period for each such '2-d cross-section' - i.e. the circle? how else do you define the period?
 
It's nothing too mysterious. The angle ##\theta## is the usual polar angle which ranges from 0 to ##2\pi##. ##\theta'##, on the other hand, only goes from ##0## to ##2\pi e^{-B(0)}## before you return to the same point on the manifold (for constant ##r##).
 
vela said:
It's nothing too mysterious. The angle ##\theta## is the usual polar angle which ranges from 0 to ##2\pi##. ##\theta'##, on the other hand, only goes from ##0## to ##2\pi e^{-B(0)}## before you return to the same point on the manifold (for constant ##r##).
Yes exactly , for constant r , and therefore shouldn’t it be a function of r ? Hence my question defining the period for each such ‘ circular cross section ‘ ?
 

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