Ricci tensor for Schwarzschild metric

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the Ricci tensor for the Schwarzschild metric, exploring the implications of the metric being a vacuum solution and the distinctions between exterior and interior Schwarzschild solutions. Participants engage with concepts from general relativity, including the Ricci flow equation and the energy-momentum tensor.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about calculating the Ricci tensor for the Schwarzschild metric, suggesting that the Ricci tensor should not equal zero.
  • Another participant clarifies that the Ricci flow is not applicable to the Schwarzschild metric, which does not undergo Ricci flow.
  • Some participants assert that the Schwarzschild metric is a vacuum solution, leading to a zero Ricci tensor, as the Einstein tensor is also zero.
  • There is a discussion about the meaning of the mass parameter "m" in the metric, with some participants noting that it represents a parameter of possible vacuum solutions.
  • Participants differentiate between the exterior and interior Schwarzschild solutions, with one noting that the interior solution does not describe a black hole and is related to a spherical mass distribution with zero pressure.
  • One participant questions whether the distinction between exterior and interior solutions refers to regions outside or inside a spherical mass distribution.
  • Another participant mentions the concept of "dust" in relation to uniform energy density distributions in static solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the Schwarzschild metric is a vacuum solution, leading to a zero Ricci tensor. However, there is some confusion and debate regarding the implications of this and the distinctions between different types of Schwarzschild solutions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and implications of the exterior and interior Schwarzschild solutions, as well as the relationship between energy density and pressure in these contexts.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and researchers in general relativity, particularly those exploring vacuum solutions and the properties of the Schwarzschild metric.

AleksanderPhy
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Hello I am little bit confused about calculating Ricci tensor for schwarzschild metric:
So we have Ricci flow equation,∂tgμν=-2Rμν.
And we have metric tensor for schwarzschild metric:
Diag((1-rs/r),(1-rs]/r)-1,(r2),(sin2Θ) and ∂tgμν=0 so 0=-2Rμν and we get that Rμν=0.But Rμν should not equal to zero for schwarzschild metric. I may have some mistakes on symbols beacuse I use them first time.
 
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The Ricci flow is not the same as the Einstein field equations. The Schwarzschild metric does not undergo Ricci flow.
 
AleksanderPhy said:
Rμν should not equal to zero for schwarzschild metric.

Yes, it should. The Schwarzschild metric is a vacuum metric, so its Einstein tensor is zero; and it's simple to show that if the Einstein tensor is zero, the Ricci tensor must also be zero.
 
PeterDonis said:
Yes, it should. The Schwarzschild metric is a vacuum metric, so its Einstein tensor is zero; and it's simple to show that if the Einstein tensor is zero, the Ricci tensor must also be zero.
The Schwarzschild solution is a vacuum solution?

I'm kind of surprised I haven't come across this yet. What does "m" represent in the metric, then?
 
MattRob said:
The Schwarzschild solution is a vacuum solution?

I'm kind of surprised I haven't come across this yet. What does "m" represent in the metric, then?
If you compute the energy momentum tensor anywhere, you will get zero. So yes, it is a vacuum solution. The mass m is a parameter of a set of possible vacuum solutions.

Note that this is the exterior Schwarzschild solution - a solution outside a spherically symmetric object where there is no matter so you should not be surprised to find that it is a vacuum solition. The interior Schwarzschild solution is not a vacuum solution.
 
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Orodruin said:
If you compute the energy momentum tensor anywhere, you will get zero. So yes, it is a vacuum solution. The mass m is a parameter of a set of possible vacuum solutions.

Note that this is the exterior Schwarzschild solution - a solution outside a spherically symmetric object where there is no matter so you should not be surprised to find that it is a vacuum solition. The interior Schwarzschild solution is not a vacuum solution.

First time I've heard "exterior" and "interior" Schwarzschild solution. Is this simply referring to regions where r > 2M or r < 2M (in geometric units)?
 
MattRob said:
First time I've heard "exterior" and "interior" Schwarzschild solution. Is this simply referring to regions where r > 2M or r < 2M (in geometric units)?
No. The interior Schwarzschild solution is a solution inside a spherical mass distribution with zero pressure at the surface. It does not describe a black hole.

Edit: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interior_Schwarzschild_metric

Even in Newtonian gravity, the 1/r potential is a vacuum solution. It only describes the potential outside a spherically symmetric distribution.
 
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Orodruin said:
No. The interior Schwarzschild solution is a solution inside a spherical mass distribution with zero pressure at the surface. It does not describe a black hole.

Edit: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interior_Schwarzschild_metric

Even in Newtonian gravity, the 1/r potential is a vacuum solution. It only describes the potential outside a spherically symmetric distribution.
So I decided to look this up. It all fell into place pretty quickly. Saw your edit now - heh, we both immediately turned to the same place.

But yeah, the difference in-between assuming you're outside a spherically symmetric mass or within a sphere of it - I think I get it, now.

This will be something great to look into, though - I'm only an undergrad, now, but I'm working with some faculty at my university and some of the first things I'm interested in really digging into have to do with constant density zero-pressure fluid solutions. Isn't this just a way of describing a uniform energy density in a region of space, though? I thought that's what "dust" was used to describe; a uniform energy density distribution in a region of space (in a static solution)?
 

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