GR: Quick Q, conservation energy, stuck on algebra

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the equation related to the conservation of energy-momentum tensor in a dust-dominated universe using the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) metric. The key equation under analysis is \frac{d}{dt}(\rho a^{3}) = a^{3}(\dot{\rho}+3\rho\frac{\dot{a}}{a}) = -3pa^{2}\dot{a}, with the user struggling to simplify it to -3 \rho a^{2}\dot{a} when pressure p equals zero. The user references the relevant equations from the source arXiv: gr-qc/9712019, specifically equation 8.43, and seeks clarification on the differentiation process involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) metric
  • Familiarity with the conservation of energy-momentum tensor in cosmology
  • Knowledge of the relationship between pressure and density in cosmological models (p = wρ)
  • Ability to perform differentiation in the context of cosmological equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Friedmann equations in cosmology
  • Learn about the implications of the equation of state parameter w in different cosmological contexts
  • Explore the role of the energy-momentum tensor in general relativity
  • Review techniques for differentiating products of functions in calculus
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focusing on cosmology and general relativity, will benefit from this discussion. It is especially relevant for individuals working on the dynamics of a dust-dominated universe and the application of the conservation of energy-momentum tensor.

binbagsss
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I'm stuck on deriving the follow. Context: FRW Metric, dust dominated universe, use of conservation of energy-momentum tensor. I'll now state all the equations I can see are relevant. (But just in case the source is http://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/9712019.pdf and it's eq 8.43).

## \frac{d}{dt}(\rho a^{3}) = a^{3}(\dot{\rho}+3\rho\frac{\dot{a}}{a}) = -3pa^{2}\dot{a} ##, and it's the last equation I am stuck on. I am getting it to be ## -3 \rho a^{2}\dot{a} ##...

2. Homework Equations :

## 0 = \bigtriangledown_{a}T^{a}_{0}=-\partial_{0}\rho=3\frac{\dot{a}}{a}(\rho +p) ## [1]

and using ##p=w\rho ##
this becomes:

##\frac{dot{\rho}}{\rho}=-3(1+w)\frac{\dot{a}}{a}##, [2]
where for dust w takes the value 0.

3. The Attempt at a Solution

So I believe the last equality comes from [1], and for dust we have P=0, which is why I get ## -3 \rho a^{2}\dot{a} ##. (the second equality I can see is just differetiating).

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
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binbagsss said:
I'm stuck on deriving the follow. Context: FRW Metric, dust dominated universe, use of conservation of energy-momentum tensor. I'll now state all the equations I can see are relevant. (But just in case the source is http://arxiv.org/pdf/gr-qc/9712019.pdf and it's eq 8.43).

## \frac{d}{dt}(\rho a^{3}) = a^{3}(\dot{\rho}+3\rho\frac{\dot{a}}{a}) = -3pa^{2}\dot{a} ##, and it's the last equation I am stuck on. I am getting it to be ## -3 \rho a^{2}\dot{a} ##...

2. Homework Equations :

## 0 = \bigtriangledown_{a}T^{a}_{0}=-\partial_{0}\rho=3\frac{\dot{a}}{a}(\rho +p) ## [1]

and using ##p=w\rho ##
this becomes:

##\frac{dot{\rho}}{\rho}=-3(1+w)\frac{\dot{a}}{a}##, [2]
where for dust w takes the value 0.

3. The Attempt at a Solution

So I believe the last equality comes from [1], and for dust we have P=0, which is why I get ## -3 \rho a^{2}\dot{a} ##. (the second equality I can see is just differetiating).

Thanks in advance.

I really don't see what you are stuck on. ## \frac{d}{dt}(\rho a^{3})## is not the same thing as ##\frac{d}{dt}(\rho)##. Which one do you want in the case p=0? If it's the first just substitute the result from [1] into the expression for ## \frac{d}{dt}(\rho a^{3})##.
 
Last edited:

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