Inhomogeneous (poincare) lorentz transormation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the inhomogeneous Lorentz transformation in the context of relativity, specifically focusing on the mathematical formulation involving the Einstein summation convention, 4-vectors, and matrices. Participants explore the implications of the transformation equations and the conditions that must be satisfied.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the transformation equation and expresses confusion regarding the requirement that the matrix components satisfy a specific relation involving the Minkowski metric.
  • Another participant clarifies the expression for the Minkowski metric in terms of the transformation matrices.
  • A third participant points out a misunderstanding regarding the summation over indices, suggesting that the initial participant has incorrectly assumed fixed values for the indices instead of summing over them.
  • The initial participant acknowledges the oversight and expresses relief at the simplicity of the misunderstanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mathematical formulation but there is a misunderstanding regarding the application of the summation convention, which is clarified during the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of correctly applying the Einstein summation convention and the implications of the Minkowski metric in the context of Lorentz transformations. There may be limitations in understanding how to manipulate the indices correctly.

spacelike
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I'm reading a physics book and in the section on relativity they are using the Einstein summation convention, with 4vectors and matrices.

They say that the transformations take the form:
[tex]x^{\prime\mu}=x^{\nu}\Lambda^{\mu}_{\nu}+C^{\mu}[/tex]
where it is required that [itex]\Lambda^{\mu}_{\nu}[/itex] satisfy the following relation:
[tex]\eta_{\mu\nu}\Lambda^{\mu}_{\alpha}\Lambda^{\nu}_{\beta}=\eta_{\alpha\beta}[/tex]
(note: I found the same thing on wikipedia, so you can see it in context if you like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_transformation#Spacetime_interval it appears a tiny bit down from the section that the link takes you to.)

My problem is that this seems impossible to satisfy by my current understanding, but I know I must be wrong, I just cannot see how.

So we are summing over [itex]\mu[/itex] and [itex]\nu[/itex] in the above relation right? and we do this for all [itex]\alpha[/itex] and [itex]\beta[/itex] in order to satisfy all the components of the matrices.
My problem is what happens when we get to the following situation?:
[tex]\mu=0, \nu=1, \alpha=0, \beta=0[/tex]
But, [itex]\eta_{01}=0[/itex], and [itex]\eta_{00}=-1[/itex]. So there is no possible values of the [itex]\Lambda[/itex]'s that will satisfy this because we now have 0=-1, which is a contradiction.

Where did I go wrong with my thinking? Thanks.
 
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In an inertial coordinate system,
[tex]\eta_{\alpha\beta} = \eta_{\mu\nu}\Lambda^{\mu}_{\alpha}\Lambda^{\nu}_{ \beta} = -\Lambda^{0}_{\alpha}\Lambda^{0}_{ \beta} + \Lambda^{1}_{\alpha}\Lambda^{1}_{ \beta} + \Lambda^{2}_{\alpha}\Lambda^{2}_{ \beta} + \Lambda^{3}_{\alpha}\Lambda^{3}_{ \beta}[/tex]
 
You're not summing, you've just assumed 4 values for the 4 variables. Remember you have to sum over mu and nu.
 
Right! I knew it would have to have been something stupidly simple >.<

thanks guys.
 

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