Riemann tensor given the space/metric

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the Riemann tensor for two given metrics in a two-dimensional space. The original poster expresses difficulty in determining certain components of the metric tensor and their implications for the curvature of the spaces described.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the form of the metric tensors and their implications for calculating the Riemann tensor. There is a focus on the linearity of off-diagonal components and how this affects the calculation of the B components. Some participants suggest alternative methods for finding the curvature tensor, including the use of geodesic equations and Christoffel symbols.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to compute the Riemann tensor, with some participants noting the challenges faced by the original poster. Suggestions for alternative approaches have been made, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the first space is considered flat while the second has nonzero curvature, which raises questions about the methods used for calculation. The discussion also touches on the uniqueness of the Riemann tensor's components in two-dimensional manifolds.

Whitehole
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Homework Statement


Given two spaces described by
##ds^2 = (1+u^2)du^2 + (1+4v^2)dv^2 + 2(2v-u)dudv##
##ds^2 = (1+u^2)du^2 + (1+2v^2)dv^2 + 2(2v-u)dudv##

Calculate the Riemann tensor

Homework Equations


Given the metric and expanding it ##~~~g_{τμ} = η_{τμ} + B_{τμ,λσ}x^λx^σ + ...##
We have the Riemann tensor, ##R_{τρμν} = B_{τν,ρμ} + B_{ρμ,τν} - B_{ρν,τμ} - B_{τμ,ρν}##

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm having problems calculating the B's for the above spaces.
There is also one space given by ##ds^2 = (1+(ax+cy)^2)dx^2 + (1+(by+cx)^2)dy^2 + 2(ax+cy)(by+cx)dxdy## where I know how to compute the B's. Since in 2D, the Riemann tensor has only one component, that is ##R_{1212}##. For ##g_{11}## we have ##B_{1122} = c^2##, for ##g_{22}## we have ##B_{2211} = c^2##, for ##g_{12} = g_{21}## we have ##B_{1212} = ½(ab + c^2)##

For the above spaces, it seems every B is 0. I can't seem to understand why.
 
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Your metric tensor is not of the given form, the off diagonal components are linear and not quadratic in the coordinates.
 
Orodruin said:
Your metric tensor is not of the given form, the off diagonal components are linear and not quadratic in the coordinates.
Yes, that is why I'm wondering. The book stated that the first space is flat and the second space has a nonzero curvature.
 
Whitehole said:
Yes, that is why I'm wondering. The book stated that the first space is flat and the second space has a nonzero curvature.
This just means you have to find you curvature tensor through other means, not that it is impossible to compute it.
 
Orodruin said:
This just means you have to find you curvature tensor through other means, not that it is impossible to compute it.
I tried finding the geodesic equation and read off the Christoffel symbol then derive the Riemann tensor through the Christoffel symbol. It worked but it's insanely long, that is why I'm thinking of another way to do it.
 
In a 2 dimensional (semi)-Riemannian manifold there is only ##\mathbf{one}## linearly independent component of the Riemann tensor (I think in Wald's General Relativity there's a proof of this). That should make it easier (##\simeq## shorter)!
 
lautaaf said:
In a 2 dimensional (semi)-Riemannian manifold there is only ##\mathbf{one}## linearly independent component of the Riemann tensor (I think in Wald's General Relativity there's a proof of this). That should make it easier (##\simeq## shorter)!
Yes I already stated that in my first post. My question is the method that I've done in post#1 is not working but I've done it in another way (post#5). Maybe there is another way.
 
Whitehole said:
Yes I already stated that in my first post. My question is the method that I've done in post#1 is not working but I've done it in another way (post#5). Maybe there is another way.

Oh, sorry, it seems i missed that.
You can also compute the components of ##R^{a}{}_{bcd}## in a orthonormal frame, via the connection one-forms and Cartan's structure equations.
 

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