How to understand 'covariance' and 'contravariance'

  • B
  • Thread starter chaksome
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Covariance
In summary: I found it helpful to be able to visualize the concepts in a way that made sense to me.In summary, Covariant and contravariant quantities are related to the direction in which a coordinate changes most when measuring distances. Orodruin's explanation is better - this is just an example of the kind of thing he's talking about.
  • #1
chaksome
17
6
TL;DR Summary
covariance covariance
When I come into contact with these two concept in the book of Landau, I gradually know how to use ##A^i or A_i## to simplify the calculation in special relativity.
But I found it hard to give an explicit explanation for them(including gauge matrix) in the aspect of physics.
Could you please give me some illumination? Thanks~
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Covariant components transform in the same way as the tangent vector basis, hence "co-". Contravariant components transform in the "opposite" way as the tangent vector basis, hence "contra-".

A vector is a geometical object and does not depend on the basis you use to describe it. Hence, the components need to transform opposite to how the basis they are used with transforms. Therefore, if you use the tangent basis ##E_\mu##, you need to use the contravariant components such that the vector ##V = V^\mu E_\mu## is invariant. Conversely, if you use the dual basis ##E^\mu##, you need to use the covariant components ##V = V_\mu E^\mu## to have a coordinate independent object.

Things become slightly more complicated in a general manifold where there is no direct link between tangent and dual vectors, but generally tangent vectors (with coordinate bases) then have contravariant components and dual vector covariant components.
 
  • Like
Likes Minnesota Joe, dextercioby, chaksome and 1 other person
  • #3
An example I found useful is the length of a running track. I can measure it by taking a standard ruler and laying it end-to-end N times. The track length is therefore N units.

But now I redefine my standard unit, and the new standard length is exactly twice my old unit. So I need new standard rulers, and the length of the track becomes N/2 new units.

So, under the length redefinition by a factor of two, ruler lengths covary (they increase by a factor of two) while the counts of rulers needed contravary (they decrease by a factor of two). The physically meaningful thing, the product of standard ruler length and the number of rulers I needed to use (the product of a contravariant and a covariant quantity), is invariant.

Orodruin's explanation is better - this is just an example of the kind of thing he's talking about.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Wow
Likes Minnesota Joe, chaksome and FactChecker
  • #4
Contravariant unitvector ##\vec{x^i}## is pointed to direction where i'th contravariant coordinate changes most per distance.
Covariant unitvector ##\vec{x_i}## is pointed to direction where only i'th contravariant coordinate changes(other contravariant coordinates remain same).
 
  • #5
Ibix said:
Orodruin's explanation is better - this is just an example of the kind of thing he's talking about.
I am not sure it is better, it is just a different illustration that is restricted to the one-dimensional case where there is only one direction so you only have to worry about scaling of the base vector (and not scalings and rotations as in the general case).
 
  • #6
olgerm said:
Contravariant unitvector ##\vec{x^i}## is pointed to direction where i'th contravariant coordinate changes most per distance.
Covariant unitvector ##\vec{x_i}## is pointed to direction where only i'th contravariant coordinate changes(other contravariant coordinates remain same).
This is a bit misleading since coordinates in general are neither co- nor contravariant, they are just functions on the base space.

The more accurate description is to say that the tangent vector basis ##E_\mu = \partial_\mu## (the basis whose transformations define what covariant means) point in the direction of the respective coordinate lines and that the dual basis ##E^\mu = dx^\mu## consists of the one-forms that map the corresponding tangent basis vectors to one and the others to zero. The interpretation in terms of "change per distance" is contingent on the existence of a metric.
 
  • #7
Orodruin said:
I am not sure it is better
You've also covered (or at least introduced) the role of the metric in all of this, where I've blithely assumed I have one.

Maybe I am being a bit harsh to my answer. The formal mathematical machinery is extremely powerful and necessary, but it was an example of the type I gave (in @bcrowell's book, I think) that started to give me a feel for what co- and contra-variant quantities could be, physically.
 

1. What is covariance and contravariance?

Covariance and contravariance are mathematical concepts that describe the relationship between two variables. Covariance measures how two variables change together, while contravariance measures how two variables change in opposite directions.

2. How are covariance and contravariance related in scientific research?

In scientific research, covariance and contravariance are often used to analyze and interpret data. They can help researchers understand the strength and direction of relationships between variables, and make predictions about future outcomes.

3. What is the difference between covariance and contravariance?

The main difference between covariance and contravariance is the direction of the relationship they measure. Covariance measures the relationship between two variables moving in the same direction, while contravariance measures the relationship between two variables moving in opposite directions.

4. How are covariance and contravariance used in statistics?

In statistics, covariance and contravariance are used to calculate correlation coefficients, which indicate the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. They are also used in regression analysis to model and predict relationships between variables.

5. How can understanding covariance and contravariance benefit my research?

Understanding covariance and contravariance can help you make more accurate predictions and draw meaningful conclusions from your research data. They can also help you identify and interpret relationships between variables, and make informed decisions based on your findings.

Similar threads

  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
3
Views
825
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
1
Views
917
  • Special and General Relativity
5
Replies
151
Views
22K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
14
Views
653
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
31
Views
4K
Back
Top