Undergrad Metric Transformation b/w Inertial Frames: Analyzing Effects

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the transformation of the metric tensor in inertial frames, specifically addressing the metric tensor defined as ## \eta = diag(-1, 1)## in a one-dimensional space. The transformation rule for the metric tensor is given by $$ g_{\mu \nu} = \frac{\partial x^\alpha}{\partial x'^{\mu }} \frac{\partial x^\beta}{\partial x'^{\nu }} \eta_{\alpha \beta} $$, leading to a derived expression for ## g_{00} ## after a Lorentz boost. The participant identifies an error in mixing units where ## c = 1 ## with those where ## c \neq 1 ##, clarifying the source of confusion in the metric transformation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of metric tensors in physics
  • Familiarity with Lorentz transformations
  • Knowledge of one-dimensional spacetime concepts
  • Basic grasp of unit systems in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Lorentz boosts on metric tensors
  • Learn about the differences between unit systems where ## c = 1 ## and ## c \neq 1 ##
  • Explore the derivation of the metric tensor in higher-dimensional spacetime
  • Investigate the role of the metric tensor in general relativity
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Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone studying the effects of metric transformations in relativistic contexts.

Jufa
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TL;DR
Found something weird when calculating the transformation due to a boost.
The metric tensor in an inertial frame is ## \eta = diag(-1, 1)##. Where I amb dealing with only 1-D space. The metric tranformation rule after a crtain coordinate chane is the following:

$$ g_{\mu \nu} = \frac{\partial x^\alpha}{\partial x'^{\mu }} \frac{\partial x^\beta}{\partial x'\nu } \eta_{\alpha \beta} $$
with ##x^0 = t## and ##x^1= x##

Given the particular form of ## \eta ## we obtain for ## \mu = \nu = 0 ## :

$$ g_{00} = -\Big(\frac{\partial t}{\partial t' }\Big)^2 + \Big(\frac{\partial x}{\partial t' }\Big)^2 = -\gamma ^2 + v^2\gamma^2 = \frac{v^2-1}{1-v^2/c^2} \neq -1 = \eta_{00}$$

So I get that after a Lorentz boost one of the metric's elements has changed.
Where am I wrong?
 
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You seem to be mixing units where ##c = 1## with units where ##c \neq 1##.
 
Orodruin said:
You seem to be mixing units where ##c = 1## with units where ##c \neq 1##.
Oh yes. It is definitely that. Many thanks.
 

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