Need help MTW's Gravitation exercise 16.1

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    Exercise Gravitation
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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a problem encountered in MTW's Gravitation exercise 16.1, specifically regarding the calculation of the Christoffel symbols, denoted as \(\Gamma^k_{\phantom{k}kk}\). The user experiences a contradiction where they obtain both vanishing and non-vanishing values for the connection coefficients. Key insights include the importance of correctly applying the change of basis when transitioning from an orthonormal basis to a coordinate basis, as a connection is not a tensor and involves an additional derivative term. The user is guided to utilize a more general change-of-basis matrix in their calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential geometry concepts, particularly connections and Christoffel symbols.
  • Familiarity with MTW's Gravitation textbook and its notation.
  • Knowledge of basis transformations in tensor calculus.
  • Ability to interpret and manipulate mathematical equations involving derivatives.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the concept of connection coefficients in differential geometry.
  • Study the change of basis in tensor calculus, focusing on the additional derivative term.
  • Examine examples of Christoffel symbols calculations in MTW's Gravitation.
  • Explore the Wikipedia page on connection forms for a deeper understanding of basis transformations.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, particularly those studying general relativity, mathematicians working with differential geometry, and anyone tackling complex problems in MTW's Gravitation.

qinglong.1397
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Need help! MTW's Gravitation exercise 16.1!

I am working on MTW's Gravitation and I came across a problem. In the attachment https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/50292, I show my calculation and, finally, I show the contradiction that is,

you can get a vanishing \Gamma^k_{\phantom{k}kk} with Cartan's equation

but, at the same time,

you can also get a non-vanishing \Gamma^k_{\phantom{k}kk} by simply inserting metric into the definition of connection coefficients.

What's wrong with my calculation? I need your help. Thank you!
 

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You should number all your equations, because the ones I need to refer to are not.

I have not checked your calculation of \omega. However, when you change from the orthonormal basis to the coordinate basis, are you sure you used the correct change of basis? A connection is not a tensor; a change of basis includes an extra derivative term.
 


Ben Niehoff said:
You should number all your equations, because the ones I need to refer to are not.

I have not checked your calculation of \omega. However, when you change from the orthonormal basis to the coordinate basis, are you sure you used the correct change of basis? A connection is not a tensor; a change of basis includes an extra derivative term.

Thanks for your reply, and I've already uploaded a new document where I numbered all the equations. Sorry for this inconvenience.

You have a good point. A connection isn't a tensor. However, I'm concerning how to add that extra derivative term. You know, you get that extra derivative term when you transfer from one coordinate basis to another coordinate basis, but here, you go from one non-coordinate basis to a coordinate one. Would you please give a hint? Thank you!
 


In all the places you see something like

\frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial y^\nu}
you can put a more general change-of-basis matrix.
 


Ben Niehoff said:
In all the places you see something like

\frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial y^\nu}
you can put a more general change-of-basis matrix.

Thanks for your reply! But I think my way of changing basis is correct. You can see this example on Page 19 :http://physicssusan.mono.net/upl/9111/Lotsofcalculationsp.1326.pdf
 
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Ben Niehoff said:
Equation 5.14 in your reference is wrong, and could only have worked for most of the Christoffel symbols by coincidence. See "Change of frame" here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connection_form

Thank you very much! This exactly solves my puzzle. :approve:
 
Asking for help with MTW's problem 16.1

I am working on MTW's Gravitation and I came across an annoying problem. I describe the problem and show my calculation in the attachment. Please download it and help me out.

Thank you very much! :biggrin:
 

Attachments



qinglong.1397 said:
I am working on MTW's Gravitation and I came across an annoying problem. I describe the problem and show my calculation in the attachment. Please download it and help me out.

Thank you very much! :biggrin:

This is a new post. I need your help! Thank you!
 

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