Dixanadu
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Homework Statement
Hey guys.
So here's the problem:
Consider an ordinary 2D flat spacetime in Cartesian coordinates with the line element
[itex]ds^{2}=-dt^{2}+dx^{2}[/itex]
Now consider a non-inertial coordinate system [itex](t',x')[/itex], given by
[itex]t'=t, x'=x-vt-\frac{1}{2}at^{2}[/itex]
(1) What is the metric in these coordinates?
There are some more questions apart from this but I think I can do those if I know how to do this part.
Homework Equations
None
The Attempt at a Solution
Okay so here's why I'm confused. How do I get the line element in these coordinates? Here are the two options in my mind...which one is correct?
OPTION 1
The line element they are looking for is [itex]ds^{2}=-dt^{2}+dx'^{2}[/itex] where [itex]dx'=dx-(v+at)dt[/itex]
OPTION 2
The line element they are looking for is [itex]ds^{2}=-dt^{2}+dx^{2}[/itex], where [itex]dx=dx'+(v+at)dt[/itex]
Both of these options give different metrics...so which one (if any) is the way to go?
Thanks guys!