Taylor Expansion of Metric Tensor: Troubles & Logic

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Taylor expansion of the metric tensor, focusing on specific equations and the logic behind certain terms and their transformations. Participants express confusion regarding the treatment of variables and terms in the context of the metric tensor and Jacobi fields, exploring both theoretical and mathematical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the metric tensor is represented as g_ij(t*x) instead of g_ij(x), seeking clarification on the underlying logic.
  • Another participant asks how certain "t" terms vanish in the transition between specific equations (4.24 to 4.25 and 4.28 to 4.29), indicating a desire to understand the reasoning behind these steps.
  • A different participant suggests that the metric is being used as a distance function and discusses the implications of homogeneity in relation to curvature, proposing that certain terms cancel due to their dependence on t.
  • Concerns are raised about contradictions found in the provided attachments and the Wikipedia link regarding Jacobi fields, particularly regarding the definitions and roles of variables "s," "t," and their relationships to spherical coordinates.
  • One participant argues that the Jacobi field should involve directional derivatives rather than ordinary derivatives to maintain vector structure, questioning the treatment of the scalar function in the context of vector fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints and uncertainties regarding the treatment of terms and definitions related to the metric tensor and Jacobi fields. No consensus is reached, and multiple competing interpretations are present.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific equations and attachments that are not visible in the thread, which may limit the understanding of the discussion. There are indications of unresolved mathematical steps and dependencies on definitions that are not fully clarified.

mertcan
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Hi, my question is related to taylor expansion of metric tensor, and I have some troubles, I would like to really know that why the RED BOX in my attachment has g_ij (t*x) instead of g_ij(x) ? I really would like to learn the logic...
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
Hi, I have not received any responses for my first question for a long time, so I would like to ask in different way and share a NEW different attachment, by the way my question is related to taylor expansion of metric tensor, and I have some troubles, I would like to really know how "t" terms vanish while we are proceeding to equation 4.25 ( equation in attachment) from equation 4.24 or proceeding to 4.29 from 4.28.I really would like to learn the logic ?
 

Attachments

In "NEW ATTACHMENT".pdf ...

I guess it's because ##g## is being used here as a distance function, and these are homogeneous. See this Wiki page, in particular the section titled "Metrics on vector spaces" which gives the homogeneity condition.

I also guess that ##R##, as a curvature 2-form is also assumed to be curvature-homogeneous, satisfying a similar definition of homogeneity.

Then, since ##\alpha## involves ##1/t##, you end up with a ##1/t^2## outside the ##g_0##, canceling the ##t^2## in eq(4.24), because ##t^2 = |t|^2##.

Re your 1st post, it's a similar thing -- you've just got to track through the definitions. E.g., ##f## is an inner product of 2 ##J##'s, hence involves ##t##'s. But the inner product is taken at a point ##tx##, hence that appears as argument to the metric.

I hope that helps.
 
Hi everyone, first of all I would like you to take a look at my NEW ATTACHMENT 2 only the pages between 18 and 24. Those pages include mostly the taylor expansion of metric, I also would like you to look at the link about jacobi field https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobi_field. After I read and compared them, I have some issues because I see some contradictions. In NEW ATTACHMENT 2 and part 3.3 (jacobi field part) $$\gamma$$ is a scalar function in terms of "s" and "t" variables, and when you look at wikipedia link "t" variable is defined as if it is $$\theta$$ in spherical coordinates and "s" variable is replaced by $$\tau$$, and because of the fact that wikipedia link says the geodesics through the North pole are great circles and separated by an angle $$\tau$$, so $$\tau$$ is defined as if it is $$\phi$$ in spherical coordinates. In NEW ATTACHMENT 2 equation 3.17, jacobi field is partial derivative of $$\gamma$$ function with respect to "s", actually in terms of the wikipedia link jacobi field is partial derivative of $$\gamma$$ function with respect to $$\tau$$ which means derivative with respect to $$\phi$$ in spherical coordinates. But if you look at equation 3.27 in NEW ATTACHMENT 2, it says jacobi field equals "t" multiplied by $$\beta$$, so I consider that if we want a derivative of scalar function to be vector then we should use directional derivative because if we use ordinary derivative for scalar then we obtain again scalar value, but jacobi field is vector so we should use directional derivative with respect to "s" variable to obtain vector value which means we should use directional derivative with respect to $$\tau$$ or $$\phi$$ (because geodesics through the North pole are great circles and separated by an angle $$\tau$$). Besides, if we use directional derivative with respect to $$\phi$$ or "s" variable for $$\gamma$$ scalar function then like the gradient in spherical coordinates we should have some extra terms like "1/r" for $$\theta$$ direction and "1/sin($$\theta$$)" for $$\phi$$ direction as well as ordinary derivative of $$\gamma$$ function. But jacobi field in NEW ATTACHMENT 2 has only ordinary derivative for scalar $$\gamma$$ function which means actually no vector structure.

So, I hope I am explicit and I ask could you help me about that problem, or enlighten me about the part I miss?
Also I would like to express that I really looking forward to see your replies here, I really tried to dig valuable things out of internet or my other sources, but nothing helps me, I feel as if I am in impasse. Therefore I really wonder your valuable responses...
 

Attachments

Last edited:
@mertcan, attachments showing equations and other things you want people to respond to are not allowed on PF. Please use the PF LaTeX feature. You can find help on that here:

https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/

When you are able to use the LaTeX feature to format your question, please start a new thread. This thread is closed.
 

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