Israel junction conditions for simple metrics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the matching of interior and exterior solutions in General Relativity (GR), specifically focusing on the junction conditions as formulated by Israel. Participants explore the continuity and differentiability requirements of the metric components at the boundary of a finite spherical mass, comparing the Schwarzschild interior solution with other metrics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the interior and exterior solutions are matched, particularly regarding the continuity and differentiability of the dt^2 coefficient at the boundary (r=R) compared to the dr^2 coefficient.
  • Another participant expects all components of the metric to be twice differentiable, citing that curvature is derived from second derivatives, which should remain finite.
  • A different participant proposes that the requirement for matching at the boundary involves both the induced metric and the extrinsic curvature, noting confusion over the definition of the normal to the hypersurface.
  • Reference is made to J.L. Synge's work, which suggests that continuity and differentiability of the metric across the junction boundary are sufficient for satisfying the junction conditions, though it does not address the reverse inference.
  • One participant observes that the junction conditions seem to necessitate continuity and differentiability of the g_tt component, while only continuity of g_rr is required, aligning with their expectations.
  • A later reply identifies a potential error in the calculation of the extrinsic curvature, suggesting that a different definition of the normal vector may lead to discrepancies in results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the requirements for the metric components at the junction boundary, particularly regarding the differentiability of g_tt and g_rr. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing interpretations of the junction conditions.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and definitions that may have differing interpretations, leading to confusion over the correct application of the junction conditions. There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the normal vector and its implications for the extrinsic curvature.

FunkyDwarf
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Hello,

I am curious as to how one appropriately matches an interior and exterior solution in GR, i.e. where the interior corresponds to the field of some finite spherical mass (perfect fluid sphere, for the Schwarzschild interior solution). Specifically, looking at both the Schwarzschild interior, and the metrics given here

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0305-4470/10/4/017/meta
http://www.jstor.org/stable/78530?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

it seems that not only is the dt^2 coefficient continuous at the boundary of the object (r=R), but it is also differentiable (in the schwarzschild coordinates, i think?). This is in contrast to the dr^2 coefficient.

Is there some deeper requirement that forces the dt^2 to be smooth and continuous whereas the dr^2 coefficient does not? How to Israel's junction conditions translate into conditions on simple metrics? That is to say, if you know that you are matching an interior to the vacuum solution, what can you say/conditions can you impose on the value of the dr^2 and dt^2 interior coefficients (and their derivatives) at the boundary?

Thanks!
-FD
 
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I would expect *all* components of the metric to be twice differentiable, because the curvature is computed from those second derivatives, and the curvature should be finite.

Too bad the articles are paywalled.
 
Okay so I've a better idea now: the requirement is that the induced metric and extrinsic curvature match at the boundary. The induced metric is easy enough to get my head around, but the extrinsic curvature is harder.

I thought i'd lucked out with these notes here
http://aesop.phys.utk.edu/ads-cft/L2.pdf (page 3)
But their definition of the normal to the hypersurface is something I find a bit confusing. Specifically, I get a different answer for the K_tt term if I use it verbatim. It seems consistent with the definition given here
http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/100975/hypersurface-normal

Specifically when f(x) = r = const = R (joining at the surface of an object is what I am interested in) you get
<br /> n_{\alpha}^{\mu} = n_{r}^{\mu} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{g_{rr}}} \delta_{r}^{\mu}<br />
because unless alpha = r, the derivative kills the whole thing off, which is the same as in the pdf linked above. But this ends up giving
<br /> K_{tt} = \frac{GM}{R^2} (1-\frac{2GM}{R})^{3/2}<br />
which is the wrong power.

I'm sure I'm missing something silly here, thanks in advance!
 
J.L.Synge has a detailed discussion of junction conditions in his 1960 GR text, which he states is modeled on the work of Israel. He shows, among other things, that if the metric is continuous and differentiable (but not necessarily second differentiable ) across the junction boundary, and is second differentiable elsewhere, then the junction conditions are satisfied. He doesn't argue the other direction of inference.
 
Well the junction conditions do seem to require continuity and differentiability of the g_tt component, but only continuity of g_rr, which is what i expect.

Also, I think I found the problem: in that L2.pdf the normal vector has g_rr in the denominator, but based on the definition in the other link it should be g^rr, in which case I get the same answer.
 

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