I Pullback & orthogonal projector

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The discussion centers on verifying properties of a map φ from a manifold M to a manifold N, where M is a hypersurface in N. The orthogonal projector is defined, allowing for the exploration of how it interacts with vectors and tensors. Key points include the demonstration that the push-forward of a vector V is tangent to the hypersurface Σ, confirming that φₗ V equals the orthogonal projection of φₗ V. Additionally, the discussion addresses the behavior of the pullback of tensors, emphasizing the need to clarify the nature of the manifolds involved, particularly in relation to Riemannian and pseudo-Riemannian geometries. The exercise ultimately confirms the expected properties of the orthogonal projector in this context.
ergospherical
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We have a map ##\phi : M \rightarrow N##, where ##N## has dimension ##n## and ##M## has dimension ##m=n-1##. So we consider the hypersurface ##\Sigma \equiv \phi(M)## picked out by the map. We also have an orthogonal projector, ##{\bot^a}_b \equiv \delta^a_b + n^a n_b##, where ##n## is the unit normal to ##\Sigma##.

The exercise is to just verify that the expected properties hold, i.e. that

(i) for a vector ##V##, that ##\phi_{\star} V = \bot (\phi_{\star} V)##
(ii) for a ##(0,s)## tensor ##\omega##, that ##(\phi^{\star} \omega) = \phi^{\star}(\bot \omega)##
(iii) for a ##(r,0)## tensor ##T##, that ##\phi_{\star} T = \bot(\phi_{\star} T)##

I can reason for (i) - i.e. that since ##V## is the tangent vector to a curve ##\lambda : I \rightarrow M##, and the push-forward curve ##\phi \circ \lambda : I \rightarrow N## must lie completely in ##\Sigma##, so ##\phi_{\star} V## must be tangent to ##\Sigma##. So ##n_b (\phi_{\star} V)^b = 0## and:$${\bot^a}_b (\phi_{\star} V)^b = (\phi_{\star} V)^a + n^a n_b (\phi_{\star} V)^b = (\phi_{\star} V)^a$$For (ii), I'm missing a step or two. I would start just from the basics,\begin{align*}
(\phi^{\star} \omega)(X_1, \dots, X_s) &= \omega(\phi_{\star} X_1, \dots, \phi_{\star} X_s) \\
&= \omega( \bot (\phi_{\star} X_1), \dots, \bot (\phi_{\star} X_s) )
\end{align*}What next? I can't use the same reasoning as before to argue that ##\phi^{\star} \omega## is tangent to ##\Sigma##, because ##\omega## isn't obtained from a push-forward of a curve (it's instead defined by its action on vectors). Any ideas...?
 
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ergospherical said:
We have a map ##\phi : M \rightarrow N##, where ##N## has dimension ##n## and ##M## has dimension ##m=n-1##. So we consider the hypersurface ##\Sigma \equiv \phi(M)## picked out by the map. We also have an orthogonal projector, ##{\bot^a}_b \equiv \delta^a_b + n^a n_b##, where ##n## is the unit normal to ##\Sigma##.
What kind of manifolds are M and N? In a Riemannian manifold I would expect a minus sign in the orthogonal projection. In a pseudo-Riemannian one I would expect it to depend on the nature of ##n##.

ergospherical said:
The exercise is to just verify that the expected properties hold, i.e. that

(i) for a vector ##V##, that ##\phi_{\star} V = \bot (\phi_{\star} V)##
(ii) for a ##(0,s)## tensor ##\omega##, that ##(\phi^{\star} \omega) = \phi^{\star}(\bot \omega)##
(iii) for a ##(r,0)## tensor ##T##, that ##\phi_{\star} T = \bot(\phi_{\star} T)##

I can reason for (i) - i.e. that since ##V## is the tangent vector to a curve ##\lambda : I \rightarrow M##, and the push-forward curve ##\phi \circ \lambda : I \rightarrow N## must lie completely in ##\Sigma##, so ##\phi_{\star} V## must be tangent to ##\Sigma##. So ##n_b (\phi_{\star} V)^b = 0## and:$${\bot^a}_b (\phi_{\star} V)^b = (\phi_{\star} V)^b + n^a n_b (\phi_{\star} V)^b = (\phi_{\star} V)^b$$
Yes.

ergospherical said:
For (ii), I'm missing a step or two. I would start just from the basics,\begin{align*}
(\phi^{\star} \omega)(X_1, \dots, X_s) &= \omega(\phi_{\star} X_1, \dots, \phi_{\star} X_s) \\
&= \omega( \bot (\phi_{\star} X_1), \dots, \bot (\phi_{\star} X_s) )
\end{align*}What next? I can't use the same reasoning as before to argue that ##\phi^{\star} \omega## is tangent to ##\Sigma##, because ##\omega## isn't obtained from a push-forward of a curve (it's instead defined by its action on vectors). Any ideas...?
For a one-form ##\omega## and a vector ##X## in ##N##, write out ##\omega(\perp X)## on component form. What do you notice? What happens if you do this with (0,s) tensor?
 
You're right that I didn't fully specify the problem - more generally ##{\bot^a}_b = \delta^a_b \pm n^a n_b## where +/- holds for ##\Sigma## space/time-like. In this case I have assumed a sub manifold which is everywhere space like.

r.e. your answer, just considering a one-form for brevity,\begin{align*}
\omega( \bot(\phi_{\star} X)) &= \omega({\bot^a}_b (\phi_{\star} X)^b e_a) \\
&= {\bot^a}_b \omega_a (\phi_{\star} X)^b \\
&= (\bot \omega)_b (\phi_{\star} X)^b \\
&= (\bot{\omega})(\phi_{\star} X) \\
&= \phi^{\star} (\bot \omega)(X)
\end{align*}

And the generalization to an (0,s) tensor is straightforward due to multi linearity. For some reason I was getting confused about setting ##(\bot \omega) \equiv \bot(\omega)##. Obviously that's how it's defined...!
 
Moderator's note: Spin-off from another thread due to topic change. In the second link referenced, there is a claim about a physical interpretation of frame field. Consider a family of observers whose worldlines fill a region of spacetime. Each of them carries a clock and a set of mutually orthogonal rulers. Each observer points in the (timelike) direction defined by its worldline's tangent at any given event along it. What about the rulers each of them carries ? My interpretation: each...

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