Solving Linearized EFE for Newtonian Potential Under Lorentz Gauge

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Arman777
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Newtonian Potential
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the linearized Einstein Field Equations (EFE) under the Lorentz Gauge, focusing on the mathematical treatment of the equations and specific components related to Newtonian potential. Participants raise questions about the derivation and implications of certain equations, as well as the assumptions involved in the calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the d'Alembertian operator ##\square## simplifies to the Laplacian ##\nabla^2## in this context.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding specific equations (8.47 and 8.49) and the implications of the definitions provided in the text.
  • There is a discussion about whether terms like ##\nabla^2\bar{h}^{xx}##, ##\nabla^2\bar{h}^{yy}##, and ##\nabla^2\bar{h}^{zz}## exist, similar to the defined term for ##\nabla^2\bar{h}^{00}##.
  • One participant explains that the argument relies on the assumption that the ##00## component of the stress-energy tensor dominates, leading to the neglect of other terms.
  • Another participant confirms understanding of one point but seeks clarification on how to calculate the spatial components ##h^{xx}##, ##h^{yy}##, and ##h^{zz}## given the dominance of the ##00## component.
  • A later reply indicates that the initial questions have been resolved by the participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the equations and assumptions, with some clarifications provided. However, the discussion does not reach a consensus on all points, particularly regarding the calculation of certain components.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on specific equations from a text, which may not be fully defined within the discussion. The assumptions about the dominance of certain components in the stress-energy tensor are critical to the arguments presented.

Arman777
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
2,163
Reaction score
191
Under the Lorentz Gauge the Einstein Field Equations are given as

$$G^{\alpha \beta} = -\frac{1}{2}\square \bar{h}^{\alpha \beta}$$

Then the linearized EFE becomes,

$$\square \bar{h}^{\mu\nu} = -16 \pi T^{\mu\nu}$$

For the later parts, I ll share pictures from the book

1621685421634.png
1621685459266.png
I have couple of questions

1) I did not understand how the ##\square## becomes ##\nabla^2## for this case.

2) I did not understand equation 8.47 at all.

3) I also did not understand 8.49. Since he only defined $$\nabla^2\bar(h)^{0 0} = -16 \pi \rho$$.

Is there also terms like ##\nabla^2\bar(h)^{xx} = -16 \pi \rho##, ##\nabla^2\bar(h)^{yy} = -16 \pi \rho## and ##\nabla^2\bar(h)^{zz} = -16 \pi \rho## ?

This might be helpful for you guys
1621685866975.png


Please help. Thanks

For instance, by using 8.31 and 8.46 I can write,

$$h^{0 0} = -4\phi - \frac{1}{2} (-1) \bar{h}$$ but what is ##\bar{h}## here ?

If we only know (8.45), how can we calculate ##h^{xx}## ?
 

Attachments

  • 1621685438572.png
    1621685438572.png
    28 KB · Views: 163
Physics news on Phys.org
1) The argument is that ##\partial_t## is of order ##v \partial_x##. Since ##v\ll 1##, the ##\partial_t## terms are negligible.

2) This is just computing the trace of ##h##. First step is the definition of the trace. Second step is using that ##\bar h## is the trace-reversed perturbation (take the trace of the definition of ##\bar h_{ab}##). Last step is using that the 00 component is assumed to completely dominate ##\bar h##.

3) No. The entire argumentation is based on the 00 component of the stress energy tensor dominating and all other terms therefore being negligible.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: vanhees71 and Arman777
Orodruin said:
1) The argument is that ##\partial_t## is of order ##v \partial_x##. Since ##v\ll 1##, the ##\partial_t## terms are negligible.

2) This is just computing the trace of ##h##. First step is the definition of the trace. Second step is using that ##\bar h## is the trace-reversed perturbation (take the trace of the definition of ##\bar h_{ab}##). Last step is using that the 00 component is assumed to completely dominate ##\bar h##.

3) No. The entire argumentation is based on the 00 component of the stress energy tensor dominating and all other terms therefore being negligible.
Thanks for your answer.

1) I understand this one

2-3) So you mean ##\bar{h}^{00} \gg \bar{h}^{11}, \bar{h}^{22} , \bar{h}^{33}## ?

If that's the case, then how can we calculate ##h^{xx}, h^{yy}## and ##h^{zz}## ?
 
Okay, solved it. Nvm
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
820
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K