GR - Lie Derivative of metric - Killing Equation

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the application of the Lie derivative in the context of the Killing equation and metric properties in Riemannian geometry. The key equation presented is the Lie derivative of the metric, expressed as ##(L_ug)_{uv} = U^{\alpha}\nabla_{\alpha}g_{uv}+g_{u\alpha}\nabla_vU^{\alpha}+g_{\alpha v}\nabla_u U^{\alpha}##. The conclusion drawn is that under the assumption of a Levi-Civita connection, the Lie derivative vanishes, indicating a metric independent of time, thus confirming the Minkowski space-time condition. The final result leads to the conclusion that the constant k equals -1.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Riemannian geometry and Levi-Civita connections
  • Familiarity with Lie derivatives and their properties
  • Knowledge of the Killing equation and its implications
  • Proficiency in tensor calculus and differential geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the Levi-Civita connection in Riemannian geometry
  • Learn about the implications of the Killing equation in general relativity
  • Explore the derivation and applications of Lie derivatives in various geometrical contexts
  • Investigate the relationship between metrics and curvature in Minkowski space-time
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for graduate students in mathematics or physics, particularly those specializing in differential geometry, general relativity, or theoretical physics. It is also useful for researchers exploring the geometric properties of space-time metrics.

binbagsss
Messages
1,291
Reaction score
12

Homework Statement



Question attached.
hell.png


Homework Equations

3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]

I'm not really sure how to work with what is given in the question without introducing my knowledge on lie derivatives.

We have: ##(L_ug)_{uv} = U^{\alpha}\nabla_{\alpha}g_{uv}+g_{u\alpha}\nabla_vU^{\alpha}+g_{\alpha v}\nabla_u U^{\alpha}##

Where ##L_u## denotes the lie derivative in the direction of ##u##

Where the first term vanishes on the assumption of a levi-civita connection by the fundamental theorem of riemmanian geometry. ##U^{\alpha}\nabla_{\alpha}g_{uv}= U^{\alpha}(\partial_{\alpha}g_{uv} + \Gamma^{c}_{\alpha v} g_{uc} + \Gamma^{c}_{\alpha u} g_{vc}) ##

And so the fact that ##w^u \partial_u g_{ab} =0 \implies \partial_t g_{ab} =0 ## vanishes here, implies that the connection terms vanish (here I need an argument that they vanish individually, and that the sum can not vanish) I can then conclude that this implies we are working in Minkowski space-time.

And I can then use my the following knowledge on Lie derivatives to obtain an answer:

##w^u \partial_u g_{ab} =0 \implies \partial_t g_{ab} =0 ## ; i.e. the metric has no ##t## dependence so I know that this means that the Lie derivative (1) vanishes:

And then I have

##(L_ug)_{uv} =0= g_{u\alpha}\nabla_vU^{\alpha}+g_{\alpha v}\nabla_u U^{\alpha}=\nabla_vU_u+\nabla_u U_v##

##\implies k=-1 ##

However the question makes no reference to the requirement of needing Lie derivative, so I'm not too sure about what I've done here,

Can I start from first principles more? Any hint appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Here's what I think is one way. Consider \nabla_\mu W_\nu = \partial_\mu W_\nu -\Gamma^s_{\nu \mu} W_s = \partial_\mu W_\nu -\tfrac12 W_s g^{s \sigma} ( \partial_\mu g_{\sigma \nu } + \partial_\nu g_{\sigma \mu} - \partial_\sigma g_{\nu \mu}) = \partial_\mu W_\nu -\tfrac12 W^\sigma ( \partial_\mu g_{\sigma \nu } + \partial_\nu g_{\sigma \mu} - \partial_\sigma g_{\nu \mu}) = \partial_\mu W_\nu -\tfrac12 W^\sigma ( \partial_\mu g_{\sigma \nu } + \partial_\nu g_{\sigma \mu})
where the last term vanishes by assumption. Now since W^\mu = (1,0,0,0), W_\mu = g_{\nu \mu} W^\nu = g_{0 \mu}. Therefore the equation can be rewritten as \partial_\mu W_\nu -\tfrac12 W^\sigma ( \partial_\mu g_{\sigma \nu } + \partial_\nu g_{\sigma \mu}) = \partial_\mu g_{0 \nu} - \tfrac12 ( \partial_\mu g_{0 \nu} + \partial_\nu g_{0 \mu}) = \tfrac12 \partial_\mu g_{0 \nu} - \tfrac12 \partial_\nu g_{0 \mu}. It is easy to check that \nabla_\nu W_\mu = -(\tfrac12 \partial_\mu g_{0 \nu} - \tfrac12 \partial_\nu g_{0 \mu}), so k=-1 as expected.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: binbagsss

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K