Solving a Calculation Problem - Basic Math/Stress Energy Tensor

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a calculation issue related to the stress-energy tensor derived from a Lagrangian in the context of theoretical physics. The user initially identified the correct term for the variation of the stress-energy tensor but later doubted their calculation, suspecting an error in the application of the functional derivative. The correct expression for the variation is confirmed as \frac{\delta(\sqrt{-g}\partial_\alpha \phi \partial^\alpha \phi)}{\delta g^{\mu\nu}} = \sqrt{-g}( \partial_\mu \partial_\nu \phi -\frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu}\partial_\alpha \phi \partial^\alpha \phi). The user ultimately resolves their confusion regarding the functional derivative and acknowledges their mistake.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the stress-energy tensor in general relativity
  • Familiarity with Lagrangian mechanics
  • Knowledge of functional derivatives
  • Basic concepts of differential geometry, particularly related to metric tensors
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the stress-energy tensor from various Lagrangians
  • Learn about functional derivatives in the context of field theory
  • Explore the implications of the metric determinant \sqrt{-g} in general relativity
  • Investigate common mistakes in tensor calculus and how to avoid them
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, graduate students in physics, and anyone studying general relativity and field theory, particularly those working with Lagrangians and stress-energy tensors.

kalish
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Hello, I have a basic calculation problem. I have to find a term in the stress energy tensor from a lagrangian, that has many terms. I found the correct equation at first but know I think I made a mistake in calculation.

here is the term that make me problem, I have to find [tex]\frac{\delta(\sqrt{-g}\partial_\alpha \phi \partial^\alpha \phi)}{\delta g^{\mu\nu}} = \sqrt{-g}( \partial_\mu \partial_\nu \phi -\frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu}\partial_\alpha \phi \partial^\alpha \phi)[/tex]

indeed that's what I found. BUT I found it using [tex]\frac{ \delta g^{\alpha\beta}}{\delta g^{\mu\nu}} \sqrt{-g}\partial_\alpha \partial_\beta \phi = \delta^\alpha_\mu \delta^\beta_\nu<br /> \sqrt{-g}\partial_\alpha \partial_\beta \phi[/tex]

but now I strongly believe that
[tex]\frac{ \delta g^{\alpha\beta}}{\delta g^{\mu\nu}} \sqrt{-g}\partial_\alpha \partial_\beta \phi = (\delta^\alpha_\mu \delta^\beta_\nu + \delta^\alpha_\nu \delta^\beta_\mu ) \sqrt{-g}\partial_\alpha \partial_\beta \phi[/tex]

that means twice the first term, and that is a problem as my final result will look like

[tex]\sqrt{-g}( 2\partial_\mu \partial_\nu \phi -\frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu}\partial_\alpha \phi \partial^\alpha \phi)[/tex]

So where is the problem please? I am a little ashamed, I thought about it before but I wasn't convinced as I found the good result.
This is not homework as I have to make a calculation that has already been made during my training, not quite a homework.
 
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Hello, I found my mistake.
 

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