Help with Newtonian Gravity as Limit of General Relativity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the derivation of the metric tensor in weak gravitational fields as described by Schutz, specifically using the line element equation and the trace-reversed metric. The metric is defined as ${g_{\alpha\beta}} = \eta_{\alpha\beta} + h_{\alpha\beta}$, where $h_{\alpha\beta}$ is derived from the gravitational potential $\phi = \frac{M}{r}$. The user seeks clarification on how the diagonal elements $h_{xx}$, $h_{yy}$, and $h_{zz}$ are equal to $-2\phi$, referencing the trace and trace-reverse definitions. The discussion concludes that the diagonal terms are extracted from the matrix representation of $h_{\alpha\beta}$.

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  • Understanding of general relativity concepts, specifically weak gravitational fields.
  • Familiarity with metric tensors and their components.
  • Knowledge of trace and trace-reverse operations in tensor calculus.
  • Basic understanding of gravitational potential and its mathematical representation.
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  • Study the derivation of the Schwarzschild metric in general relativity.
  • Learn about the implications of the trace-reverse operation in tensor analysis.
  • Explore the physical significance of the gravitational potential $\phi$ in weak field approximations.
  • Investigate the relationship between the metric tensor and curvature in general relativity.
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, researchers in theoretical physics, and anyone studying general relativity and its applications in weak gravitational fields.

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In Schutz says When we have weak gravitaional fields then the line element *ds* is
$$
ds^{2}=-(1+2\phi)dt^{2}+(1-2\phi)(dx^{2}+dy^{2}+dz^{2})
$$
so the metric is
$$
{g_{\alpha\beta}} =\eta_{\alpha\beta}+h_{\alpha\beta}= \left( \begin{array}{cccc}
-(1+2\phi) & 0 & 0 & 0\\
0 & (1-2\phi) & 0 & 0\\
0 & 0 & (1-2\phi) & 0\\
0 & 0 & 0 & (1-2\phi)\end{array} \right)
$$
where
$$
\phi=\frac{M}{r}
$$
so *h* is

$$
{h_{\alpha\beta}} = \left( \begin{array}{cccc}
-2\phi & 0 & 0 & 0\\
0 & -2\phi & 0 & 0\\
0 & 0 & -2\phi & 0\\
0 & 0 & 0 & -2\phi\end{array} \right)
$$
the element

$$
h_{00}= -2\phi
$$

and the elements out of the diagonal are zero because the condition weak gravitational fields it implies

$$
T_{i,j}=0
$$

but i don't get it how in the book do

$$
h_{xx}=h_{yy}=h_{zz}=-2\phi
$$

i believe they use de definition of *trace reverse*

$$
\bar h^{\alpha\beta}=h^{\alpha\beta}-\frac{1}{2}\eta^{\alpha\beta}h
$$
and the *trace* definition

$$
h = h^{\alpha}_{\alpha}
$$
but how they do? what I am missing?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
We are just pulling each diagonal term out of h. h1 = hx. Repeated subscript is an element along the diagonal.
 

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