GR: Metric, Inverse Metric, Affine Connection Caluculation Help

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculation of the Schwarzschild Metric in four-dimensional spacetime, specifically addressing the non-zero components of the metric tensor and the affine connection. The non-zero components identified are g11 = 1/(1-2M/r), g22 = r², g33 = r²sin²θ, and g44 = 2M/r - 1. The inverse metric tensor is determined to be diagonal, with each diagonal entry being the inverse of the corresponding metric component. For the affine connection, participants are directed to consult general relativity textbooks for the formula, which involves derivatives of the metric tensor components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Schwarzschild Metric in general relativity
  • Familiarity with tensor notation and components
  • Knowledge of matrix inversion, particularly for diagonal matrices
  • Basic concepts of affine connections in differential geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the inverse metric tensor in general relativity
  • Learn how to compute the affine connection components using the metric tensor
  • Explore the implications of the Schwarzschild solution in astrophysics
  • Review the properties of diagonal matrices and their inverses in linear algebra
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Students and researchers in physics, particularly those studying general relativity, as well as mathematicians interested in differential geometry and tensor analysis.

bmb2009
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Homework Statement



Consider the Schwarschield Metric in four dimensional spacetime (M is a constant):

ds2 = -(1-(2M/r))dt2 + dr2/(1-(2M/r)) + r2(dθ2 + sin2(θ)dø2)

a.) Write down the non zero components of the metric tensor, and find the inverse metric tensor.

b.) find all the components of the connection. (you can use arguments of symmetry to set to zero some of these components)



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



a.) Excluding some work I proved that gij = 0 (if I does not equal j)... so the only nonzero components of the metric tensor are g11, g22, g33, g44... This reduces the metric tensor to

ds2 = g11dr2 + g222 + g332 + g44dt2... by simply equalities I said

g11 = 1/(1-2M/r)

g22 = r2

g33 = r2sin2θ

g44 = 2M/r - 1


I then put these in a diagnol 4x4 matrix because all the other entries are 0. Now for the inverse is it the inverse of each of the diagonal components? The only way I know how to find the inverse of a tensor was in linear algebra when [A|I] was row reduced to [I|A-1] and that was the inverse matrix... is that the same for this as well?

b.) We did not covver the connection (which I am assuming is the affine connection?) at all in class so I did my best to read up on the topic online but can't really grasp the starting point. Any guidance here? Can somebody point me in the direction to generate the components of the connection from the given spacetime? or maybe a general definition?

Thanks!
 
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bmb2009 said:

Homework Statement



Consider the Schwarschield Metric in four dimensional spacetime (M is a constant):

ds2 = -(1-(2M/r))dt2 + dr2/(1-(2M/r)) + r2(dθ2 + sin2(θ)dø2)

a.) Write down the non zero components of the metric tensor, and find the inverse metric tensor.

b.) find all the components of the connection. (you can use arguments of symmetry to set to zero some of these components)



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



a.) Excluding some work I proved that gij = 0 (if I does not equal j)... so the only nonzero components of the metric tensor are g11, g22, g33, g44... This reduces the metric tensor to

ds2 = g11dr2 + g222 + g332 + g44dt2... by simply equalities I said

g11 = 1/(1-2M/r)

g22 = r2

g33 = r2sin2θ

g44 = 2M/r - 1


I then put these in a diagnol 4x4 matrix because all the other entries are 0. Now for the inverse is it the inverse of each of the diagonal components? The only way I know how to find the inverse of a tensor was in linear algebra when [A|I] was row reduced to [I|A-1] and that was the inverse matrix... is that the same for this as well?

b.) We did not covver the connection (which I am assuming is the affine connection?) at all in class so I did my best to read up on the topic online but can't really grasp the starting point. Any guidance here? Can somebody point me in the direction to generate the components of the connection from the given spacetime? or maybe a general definition?

Thanks!


In the special case of a diagonal matrix, its inverse is also diagonal with all the entries being the inverse of the elements of the initial matrix. In other words, it is trivial in that case, g^{\mu \mu} = (g_{\mu \mu})^{-1} (mp summation implied here, this is a set of four equations.)

For the affine connection, you can look up the expression for the connection in any GR book. Each component is given by a combination of derivatives of elements of the metric tensor.
 

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