Question 17 in section 2.9 in Schutz's A First Course in GR

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving that any timelike vector with conditions ##U^0>0## and ##\vec{U}\cdot \vec{U} = -1## can be represented as the 4-velocity of a world line in General Relativity (GR). The user seeks to demonstrate the existence of a 4-vector ##\vec{x}## such that ##\frac{d\vec{x}}{d\tau} = \vec{U}##, indicating the world line of a particle. The user has derived a relationship involving the derivatives of the components of the 4-velocity but is seeking further guidance on how to proceed with the proof.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of 4-vectors in General Relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of world lines in spacetime
  • Knowledge of the properties of timelike vectors
  • Basic calculus, particularly differentiation with respect to proper time (##\tau##)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the geodesic equation in General Relativity
  • Learn about the physical interpretation of 4-velocity and its components
  • Explore the relationship between proper time and world lines in GR
  • Investigate the implications of the normalization condition for timelike vectors
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students and enthusiasts of General Relativity, particularly those self-studying the subject or preparing for advanced topics in theoretical physics. It is also relevant for anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of spacetime and particle motion in GR.

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The question is as follows:

Prove that any timelike vector for which ##U^0>0## and ##\vec{U}\cdot \vec{U} = -1## is the 4-velocity of some world line.

I need to show that there exists a 4-vector ##\vec{x}##, s.t ##\frac{d\vec{x}}{d\tau} = \vec{U}##, where ##\vec{x}## is a world line of some particle.

So far what I have done is: since ##\vec{U}\cdot \frac{d\vec{U}}{d\tau} = 0##, so we have:

$$dU^0/d\tau = U^1/U^0 dU^1/d\tau + U^2/U^0dU^2/d\tau + U^3/U^0 dU^3/d\tau$$

I used the fact that ##U^0>0##, so I can divide by it above.

We also have: ##dx^\mu/d\tau = U^\mu ##. How to continue? Any ideas?

This is not for homework, I am self studying GR and QFT.
 
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MathematicalPhysicist said:
This is not for homework, I am self studying GR and QFT.

Even if it's not technically homework for you, it's a problem that is often assigned as homework, so I have moved this thread to the homework forum.
 

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