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

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The discussion revolves around understanding the setting of B(r=0)=0 in the context of a cone singularity in general relativity. Participants express confusion about the physical significance of coordinate choices and how they relate to the metric describing a cone, particularly regarding the interpretation of singularities. The concept of the cone's period is explored, with emphasis on how the angle θ' has a period less than 2π, leading to the conclusion that this results in a cone shape. There is also a debate about defining the period for each circular cross-section of the cone, highlighting the relationship between the angle and the metric. Overall, the thread seeks clarity on the implications of these concepts for understanding the geometry of the cone.
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



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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 ‘ ?
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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