Questions about derivation of GR and applications of it

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the Einstein field equations, the assumptions underlying them, and their applications in cosmology, astrophysics, and the big bang theory. Participants express curiosity about the steps involved in the derivation and the implications of four-dimensional spacetime.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks about the derivation of the Einstein field equations and their applications in cosmology and astrophysics.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the request is too broad for a single thread.
  • A participant mentions that Einstein started with Rij=0 and incorporated the stress-energy momentum tensor but expresses uncertainty about the steps involved.
  • Some participants suggest resources, such as Sean Carroll's lecture notes, for understanding the derivation of the field equations.
  • There is a discussion about the Hilbert action and its role in the derivation, with one participant noting an informal proof based on a tensorial generalization of Poisson's equation.
  • Questions arise regarding the meaning of four dimensions in relation to the material world, with one participant asserting that everything is four-dimensional in this model.
  • Another participant questions whether some physical phenomena are inadequately described by conventional means, implying a limitation in understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of understanding and uncertainty regarding the derivation of the Einstein field equations and the implications of four-dimensional spacetime. There is no consensus on the specific steps of the derivation or the interpretation of four dimensions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of the topic, with participants acknowledging the broad nature of the questions posed. Some responses indicate that a more focused inquiry may be necessary for deeper understanding.

trees and plants
Hello friends. I have this question about how the Einstein field equations were derived, the assumptions behind them and the possible applications of them. What could their solutions be?Also, how are they used in cosmology and in the big bang theory?What about astrophysics? Thank you very much.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
So basically you're asking us to write a whole textbook here...
 
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: etotheipi
I have read some things about the derivation at least.I think Einstein said that he started with Rij=0 and then proceeded to put to the equations the stress energy momentum tensor and the other tensors.I do not know the steps he did to prove it.I want to know the steps he did,not necessarily to prove it wrong,but to learn from it.As well, what do four dimensions mean about the material world and what do they not mean?It is just that some phenomena are better expressed through four dimensions?Thank you.
 
I'd suggest Sean Carroll's GR lecture notes - chapter 4 derives the field equations, if memory serves, and they're free to download. Also you don't need to do weight training to lift them like you do with Misner, Thorne and Wheeler.
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: etotheipi
So Einstein started from the gravitational law and the gravitational potential expressed in differential form and moved to the steps , I find a little difficulty knowing if the steps are correct in the proof,but ok.About the other question I made concerning the four dimensions?How is it possible and what does it mean about the material world?
 
universe function said:
So Einstein started from the gravitational law and the gravitational potential expressed in differential form and moved to the steps
There's an informal proof in Carroll based on guessing a tensorial generalisation of Poisson's equation, but the formal proof starts with the Hilbert action.
universe function said:
About the other question I made concerning the four dimensions?How is it possible
How is it possible? Why shouldn't it be?
universe function said:
what does it mean about the material world?
Everything is four dimensional in this model.
 
I have also heard about the Hilbert action expressed as an integral.So, it means that for some physical phenomena someone's eyes are flawed to describe them?Is what I am saying correct?
 
universe function said:
I have this question about how the Einstein field equations were derived, the assumptions behind them and the possible applications of them. What could their solutions be?Also, how are they used in cosmology and in the big bang theory?What about astrophysics? Thank you very much.

universe function said:
I want to know the steps he did,not necessarily to prove it wrong,but to learn from it.As well, what do four dimensions mean about the material world and what do they not mean?It is just that some phenomena are better expressed through four dimensions?

All this is way, way too broad for a single PF thread. As others have said, you need to take some time to read a textbook presentation (the references you have been given are good ones). Then you can start a new thread to ask a more focused question about some particular point that you do not understand.

This thread is closed.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Grinkle

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
988
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
2K