Torsion tensor derivation

In summary, the conversation discusses the confusion surrounding the derivation of the torsion tensor from two different images. While the first image is easily understood, the second image presents a different scenario with a [u,v] vector instead of the torsion tensor. The conversation asks for help in understanding the two different situations and the truth behind them. The expert summarizer also adds their own insights on the topic.
  • #1
mertcan
340
6
hi, I looked up torsion tensor derivation on 2 different books, and encountered 2 different situations, so my mind has been confused. For the first image, I could totally understand how torsion tensor was derived, but for the second image although there are similar things, I can not make a connection between 2 images. For instance, in first image torsion tensor is between r1 and r2 points, but this torsion tensor does not correspond to torsion tensor in second image, because instead there is a [u,v] vector. Besides, as you can see "sr1" is the parallel transported vector according to first image and resembles the vector "uR" ( appearance of these 2 vectors is same I think), but
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3.png
is parallel transported vector according to second image ( it is really parallel to
upload_2016-5-22_22-1-32.png
vector, but for the first image the parallel transported vector ("sr1" ) is not really parallel to " pq " vector. To sum up, Could you please help me understand these 2 different situation, and express or explain the truth?

FIRST IMAGE

upload_2016-5-22_21-42-53.png


SECOND IMAGE

upload_2016-5-22_21-52-2.png
 
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  • #2
mertcan said:
hi, I looked up torsion tensor derivation on 2 different books, and encountered 2 different situations, so my mind has been confused. For the first image, I could totally understand how torsion tensor was derived, but for the second image although there are similar things, I can not make a connection between 2 images. For instance, in first image torsion tensor is between r1 and r2 points, but this torsion tensor does not correspond to torsion tensor in second image, because instead there is a [u,v] vector. Besides, as you can see "sr1" is the parallel transported vector according to first image and resembles the vector "uR" ( appearance of these 2 vectors is same I think), but View attachment 101110 is parallel transported vector according to second image ( it is really parallel to View attachment 101111 vector, but for the first image the parallel transported vector ("sr1" ) is not really parallel to " pq " vector. To sum up, Could you please help me understand these 2 different situation, and express or explain the truth?

FIRST IMAGE

View attachment 101107

SECOND IMAGE

View attachment 101108

Why anyone can help me?? Is it a though question or long question ??
 
  • #3
mertcan said:
hi, I looked up torsion tensor derivation on 2 different books, and encountered 2 different situations, so my mind has been confused. For the first image, I could totally understand how torsion tensor was derived, but for the second image although there are similar things, I can not make a connection between 2 images. For instance, in first image torsion tensor is between r1 and r2 points, but this torsion tensor does not correspond to torsion tensor in second image, because instead there is a [u,v] vector. Besides, as you can see "sr1" is the parallel transported vector according to first image and resembles the vector "uR" ( appearance of these 2 vectors is same I think), but View attachment 101110 is parallel transported vector according to second image ( it is really parallel to View attachment 101111 vector, but for the first image the parallel transported vector ("sr1" ) is not really parallel to " pq " vector. To sum up, Could you please help me understand these 2 different situation, and express or explain the truth?

FIRST IMAGE

View attachment 101107

SECOND IMAGE

View attachment 101108
mertcan said:
hi, I looked up torsion tensor derivation on 2 different books, and encountered 2 different situations, so my mind has been confused. For the first image, I could totally understand how torsion tensor was derived, but for the second image although there are similar things, I can not make a connection between 2 images. For instance, in first image torsion tensor is between r1 and r2 points, but this torsion tensor does not correspond to torsion tensor in second image, because instead there is a [u,v] vector. Besides, as you can see "sr1" is the parallel transported vector according to first image and resembles the vector "uR" ( appearance of these 2 vectors is same I think), but View attachment 101110 is parallel transported vector according to second image ( it is really parallel to View attachment 101111 vector, but for the first image the parallel transported vector ("sr1" ) is not really parallel to " pq " vector. To sum up, Could you please help me understand these 2 different situation, and express or explain the truth?

FIRST IMAGE

View attachment 101107

SECOND IMAGE

View attachment 101108

Why can anyone help me?? Is it a though question or long ??
 
  • #4
I don't really understand your question, I'm afraid; the two diagrams depict the exact same thing, the only difference is that the various vectors have different labels. In both cases, torsion is demonstrated as being the failure of the parallelogram to be closed.
 
  • #5
I think all this is correct, but do be a bit wary. Still learning this myself.

The second image is comparing and contrasting two similar definitions: "You draw a parallelogram and the failure to close is the torsion" and "You draw a parallelogram and the failure to close is the commutator". The inner parallelogram is the same as your first diagram. The outer parallelogram is something different but confusingly similar.

The inner parallelogram's top and right sides are formed by parallel transporting the bottom and left sides along the left and bottom sides respectively - the failure to close is the torsion. The outer parallelogram's top and right sides are the values of the vector field at R and Q respectively - the failure to close is the commutator.

The difference between the two top sides (i.e. the difference between the parallel transported vector and the "local" value) is the covariant derivative in the direction of the left side. Similarly for the two right sides.
 
  • #6
Markus Hanke they do not depict the same thing, look at the parallel transported vectors. The parallel transported vector "sr1" in first image should correspond to
upload_2016-5-23_12-30-42.png
vector not
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
vector in the second image. By the way Ibix, how are these 2 different derivations correct ?? I mean torsion definition must be unique, but there are 2 different meanings for torsion in these images. How can we have 2 different torsion definition ? If we say that torsion definition is the the failure of the closure of the parallelogram made up of the small displacement vectors and their parallel transports, we can not use that definition for second image, because in second image we should not have
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
or
upload_2016-5-23_12-39-48.png
vectors as a parallel transported vectors
 
  • #7
mertcan said:
Markus Hanke they do not depict the same thing, look at the parallel transported vectors. The parallel transported vector "sr1" in first image should correspond to View attachment 101127 vector not
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
vector in the second image. By the way Ibix, how are these 2 different derivations correct ?? I mean torsion definition must be unique, but there are 2 different meanings for torsion in these images. How can we have 2 different torsion definition ? If we say that torsion definition is the the failure of the closure of the parallelogram made up of the small displacement vectors and their parallel transports, we can not use that definition for second image, because in second image we should not have
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
or View attachment 101128 vectors as a parallel transported vectors
Guys, I have been waiting for a long time, and I have not received an answer. I really want to make you sure that I can not make any progress in this topic. I got stuck, and I want to proceed to other tremendous, astonishing topics in relativity. I will appreciate, and be so pleased if you return me...
 
  • #8
mertcan said:
Markus Hanke they do not depict the same thing, look at the parallel transported vectors. The parallel transported vector "sr1" in first image should correspond to View attachment 101127 vector not
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
vector in the second image.

No, this is incorrect, sr1 corresponds to ##u_R^\parallel##. The vectors ##u_R##/##v_Q## are not parallel transported along the parallelogram sides.
 
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  • #9
Orodruin said:
No, this is incorrect, sr1 corresponds to ##u_R^\parallel##. The vectors ##u_R##/##v_Q## are not parallel transported along the parallelogram sides.
Thank you for your return "Orodruin" ,but if
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10.png
or
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36.png
are not parallel transported vectors, for what do they stand? also What is the meaning of
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10.png
and
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36.png
vector ?
 
  • #10
  • #12
  • #13
haushofer said:
The vector fields at the specific points.

Transporting a vector field from some point to a point Q is different from simply evaluating it in point Q. Is that your confusion?
Thank you for your informing "Orodruin". As " haushofer" guessed, first image belongs to "Nakahara", whereas second image belongs to "F.W. Hehl and Yu.N. Obukhov". I consider the problem is: There may be a parallel transportation problem of vectors. For example, parallel transported vector "sr1" in first image do not parallel to "pq" vector, but if we pass to the second image we can examine that parallel transported vector
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
is totally parallel to
upload_2016-5-23_18-20-28.png
vector, and this situation makes a confusion. Nevertheless, "Orodruin" expressed that sr1 corresponds to
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
. The vectors
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10-png.101138.png
, and
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36-png.png
are not parallel transported along the parallelogram sides. After this explanation I have one more question: if
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10-png.png
or
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36-png.png
are not parallel transported vectors, for what do they stand? also What is the meaning of
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10-png.png
and
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36-png.png
vector ?
 
  • #14
mertcan said:
Thank you for your informing "Orodruin". As " haushofer" guessed, first image belongs to "Nakahara", whereas second image belongs to "F.W. Hehl and Yu.N. Obukhov". I consider the problem is: There may be a parallel transportation problem of vectors. For example, parallel transported vector "sr1" in first image do not parallel to "pq" vector, but if we pass to the second image we can examine that parallel transported vector
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
is totally parallel to View attachment 101142 vector, and this situation makes a confusion. Nevertheless, "Orodruin" expressed that sr1 corresponds to
upload_2016-5-22_21-59-3-png.101110.png
. The vectors
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10-png.101138.png
, and
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36-png.png
are not parallel transported along the parallelogram sides. After this explanation I have one more question: if
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10-png.png
or
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36-png.png
are not parallel transported vectors, for what do they stand? also What is the meaning of
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-10-png.png
and
upload_2016-5-23_16-45-36-png.png
vector ?
This has already been addressed in post #12.
 
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  • #15
I have a hard time guessing what the problem is, since we have answered your questions already. Why don't you agree with post #8?
 
  • #16
hi, I have been digging up torsion tensor, and I would like to share 2 different images below. At the first image, I suppose that
upload_2016-5-23_21-5-6.png
is the difference of directional derivatives, because at the second image this type of representation corresponds to difference of directional derivatives. If we come to the first image we can say that
upload_2016-5-23_21-5-6.png
=
upload_2016-5-23_21-15-57.png
+
upload_2016-5-23_21-16-12.png
-(
upload_2016-5-23_21-16-47.png
+
upload_2016-5-23_21-17-4.png
), but we are aware that as I said before
upload_2016-5-23_21-5-6.png
is the difference of directional derivatives according to the second image. To sum up, in accordance with the
upload_2016-5-23_21-5-6.png
=
upload_2016-5-23_21-15-57.png
+
upload_2016-5-23_21-16-12.png
-(
upload_2016-5-23_21-16-47.png
+
upload_2016-5-23_21-17-4.png
) formula,
upload_2016-5-23_21-15-57.png
+
upload_2016-5-23_21-16-12.png
should be a directional derivative, but in line with the second image directional derivative is not necessarily tangent to manifold, as you can see first image totally lays on the tangent place,
upload_2016-5-23_21-15-57.png
+
upload_2016-5-23_21-16-12.png
is tangent to manifold instead of being not tangent according to second image.

First image is quoted from F.W. Hehl and Yu.N. Obukhov
second image quoted from David R. Wilkins

FIRST IMAGE

upload_2016-5-22_21-52-2-png.101108.png


SECOND IMAGE

upload_2016-5-23_21-12-52.png
 
  • #17
mertcan said:
upload_2016-5-23_21-15-57-png.101152.png
+
upload_2016-5-23_21-16-12-png.png
should be a directional derivative
No, it should not. These are two completely different vectors which a priori has nothing to do with each other.

Also, please use the LaTeX features of the forum rather than editing in images, it will make your posts significantly more readable.
 
  • #18
Orodruin said:
No, it should not. These are two completely different vectors which a priori has nothing to do with each other.

Also, please use the LaTeX features of the forum rather than editing in images, it will make your posts significantly more readable.
Well thanks for your return, but why do we put this [u,v] vector (at the second image ) on the image?? How we can derive this vector?? The only derivation I know of this vector is the difference of directional derivatives, but I can not see any directional derivatives ( after " Orodruin" 's explanation ) at the first image. What kind of logic exist for that vector??
 
  • #19
##[u,v]## is just the failure of the flows of the vector fields ##u## and ##v## to close. In general, I suggest that you do not try to see properties of a manifold in terms of an embedding as is done in your second image in #16. The properties under discussion are perfectly well defined only in terms of the properties of the manifold and affine connection itself (even without the affine connection when we just discuss the Lie bracket) without reference to an embedding in a higher-dimensional space.
 
  • #20
Orodruin said:
##[u,v]## is just the failure of the flows of the vector fields ##u## and ##v## to close. In general, I suggest that you do not try to see properties of a manifold in terms of an embedding as is done in your second image in #16. The properties under discussion are perfectly well defined only in terms of the properties of the manifold and affine connection itself (even without the affine connection when we just discuss the Lie bracket) without reference to an embedding in a higher-dimensional space.
Orodruin said:
##[u,v]## is just the failure of the flows of the vector fields ##u## and ##v## to close. In general, I suggest that you do not try to see properties of a manifold in terms of an embedding as is done in your second image in #16. The properties under discussion are perfectly well defined only in terms of the properties of the manifold and affine connection itself (even without the affine connection when we just discuss the Lie bracket) without reference to an embedding in a higher-dimensional space.
Do you mean that [u,v] is not the difference of directional derivatives?? If not, how do we calculate the value of it??
 
  • #21
mertcan said:
Do you mean that [u,v] is not the difference of directional derivatives?? If not, how do we calculate the value of it??
If you use "directional derivative" to mean "as seen embedded into a Cartesian space" then no. The Lie bracket ##[u,v]## is the commutator between the vector fields ##u## and ##v##, which you can easily show is a vector field in itself. You can easily show that it is related to the failure of flows to commute.
 
  • #22
Orodruin said:
If you use "directional derivative" to mean "as seen embedded into a Cartesian space" then no. The Lie bracket ##[u,v]## is the commutator between the vector fields ##u## and ##v##, which you can easily show is a vector field in itself. You can easily show that it is related to the failure of flows to commute.
Well, Could you give some specific examples or remind me how to calculate the [u,v] commutator. For instance, If I want to find a torsion tensor, I need covariant derivatives, and [u,v] commutator, but I know the formula of how to calculate the covariant derivative whereas I can not remember the formulation of commutator. What kind of proof may make a relation between the failure of flows and commutator?? I am asking because I want to visualize the concept using some proofs.
 
  • #23
mertcan said:
Well, Could you give some specific examples or remind me how to calculate the [u,v] commutator. For instance, If I want to find a torsion tensor, I need covariant derivatives, and [u,v] commutator, but I know the formula of how to calculate the covariant derivative whereas I can not remember the formulation of commutator. What kind of proof may make a relation between the failure of flows and commutator?? I am asking because I want to visualize the concept using some proofs.

I hope I don't screw this up, but here's my understanding:

If you have a scalar function [itex]\phi[/itex], and a tangent vector [itex]u[/itex], then the meaning of [itex]u(\phi)[/itex] is the rate of change of [itex]\phi[/itex] along the tangent [itex]u[/itex]. In terms of coordinates, it's [itex]u(\phi) = \sum_j u^j \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x^j}[/itex].

The meaning of [itex][u,v][/itex] is that tangent vector [itex]w[/itex] such that [itex]w(\phi) = u(v(\phi)) - v(u(\phi))[/itex]

In terms of coordinates, [itex][u,v] = w \Rightarrow w^j = \sum_i (u^i \frac{\partial v^j}{\partial x^i} - v^i \frac{\partial u^j}{\partial x^i})[/itex]
 
  • #24
stevendaryl said:
In terms of coordinates, [itex][u,v] = w \Rightarrow w^j = \sum_i (u^i \frac{\partial v^j}{\partial x^i} - v^i \frac{\partial u^j}{\partial x^i})[/itex]

Just for clarification of what I wrote, the commutator [itex][u,v][/itex] only makes sense if [itex]u[/itex] and [itex]v[/itex] are vector fields, not vectors. A vector field assigns a vector to each point in your space. In terms of components, [itex]u^i[/itex] is a function of position.
 
  • #25
stevendaryl said:
Just for clarification of what I wrote, the commutator [itex][u,v][/itex] only makes sense if [itex]u[/itex] and [itex]v[/itex] are vector fields, not vectors. A vector field assigns a vector to each point in your space. In terms of components, [itex]u^i[/itex] is a function of position.
Ok, I got your answer, but could you show me at the image where u(v(ϕ)) and v(u(ϕ)) take place? I am asking because without seeing u(v(ϕ)) and v(u(ϕ)) vector, it seems to me as if [u,v] vector was conjured up...

upload_2016-5-22_21-52-2-png.101108.png
 
  • #26
Let me first show how it works in the good-old 2D Euclidean plane. Since that space is flat, you can choose Cartesian coordinates, and you don't have to worry about connection coefficients.

Now, suppose we have two different vector fields, [itex]\vec{u}[/itex] and [itex]\vec{v}[/itex]. Then consider two different paths starting from the point [itex]p_0[/itex]
  1. Move along displacement vector [itex]\alpha \vec{u}[/itex], and then move along displacement vector [itex]\beta \vec{v}[/itex].
  2. Move along displacement vector [itex]\beta \vec{v}[/itex], and then move along displacement vector [itex]\alpha \vec{u}[/itex].
As shown in the attachment, path 1 consists of going from [itex]p_0[/itex] to [itex]p_1[/itex] to [itex]p_2[/itex]. Path 2 consists of going from [itex]p_0[/itex] to [itex]p_3[/itex] to [itex]p_4[/itex]

In general, [itex]p_2 \neq p_4[/itex]. We can compute, to lowest order, these two locations, as follows:

[itex]p_1 = p_0 + \beta\vec{v}(p_0)[/itex]
[itex]p_2 = p_1 + \alpha \vec{u}(p_1) \approx p_0 + \beta\vec{v}(p_0) + \alpha\vec{u}(p_0) + \alpha \beta ((\vec{v} \cdot \nabla) \vec{u})|_{p_0}[/itex]
[itex]p_3 = p_0 + \alpha \vec{u}(p_0)[/itex]
[itex]p_4 = p_3 + \beta \vec{v}(p_3) \approx p_0 + \beta\vec{v}(p_0) + \alpha \vec{u}(p_0) + \alpha \beta ((\vec{u} \cdot \nabla) \vec{v})|_{p_0}[/itex]

So the displacement vector from [itex]p_2[/itex] to [itex]p_4[/itex] is given by:

[itex]\vec{\delta_{24}} = p_4 - p_2 = \alpha \beta ((\vec{u} \cdot \nabla) \vec{v} - (\vec{v} \cdot \nabla) \vec{u})|_{p_0}[/itex]
[itex] \equiv [u,v]|_{p_0}[/itex]
 

Attachments

  • commutator.jpg
    commutator.jpg
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  • #27
stevendaryl said:
Let me first show how it works in the good-old 2D Euclidean plane. Since that space is flat, you can choose Cartesian coordinates, and you don't have to worry about connection coefficients.

Now, suppose we have two different vector fields, [itex]\vec{u}[/itex] and [itex]\vec{v}[/itex]. Then consider two different paths starting from the point [itex]p_0[/itex]
  1. Move along displacement vector [itex]\alpha \vec{u}[/itex], and then move along displacement vector [itex]\beta \vec{v}[/itex].
  2. Move along displacement vector [itex]\beta \vec{v}[/itex], and then move along displacement vector [itex]\alpha \vec{u}[/itex].
As shown in the attachment, path 1 consists of going from [itex]p_0[/itex] to [itex]p_1[/itex] to [itex]p_2[/itex]. Path 2 consists of going from [itex]p_0[/itex] to [itex]p_3[/itex] to [itex]p_4[/itex]

In general, [itex]p_2 \neq p_4[/itex]. We can compute, to lowest order, these two locations, as follows:

[itex]p_1 = p_0 + \beta\vec{v}(p_0)[/itex]
[itex]p_2 = p_1 + \alpha \vec{u}(p_1) \approx p_0 + \beta\vec{v}(p_0) + \alpha\vec{u}(p_0) + \alpha \beta ((\vec{v} \cdot \nabla) \vec{u})|_{p_0}[/itex]
[itex]p_3 = p_0 + \alpha \vec{u}(p_0)[/itex]
[itex]p_4 = p_3 + \beta \vec{v}(p_3) \approx p_0 + \beta\vec{v}(p_0) + \alpha \vec{u}(p_0) + \alpha \beta ((\vec{u} \cdot \nabla) \vec{v})|_{p_0}[/itex]

So the displacement vector from [itex]p_2[/itex] to [itex]p_4[/itex] is given by:

[itex]\vec{\delta_{24}} = p_4 - p_2 = \alpha \beta ((\vec{u} \cdot \nabla) \vec{v} - (\vec{v} \cdot \nabla) \vec{u})|_{p_0}[/itex]
[itex] \equiv [u,v]|_{p_0}[/itex]

If you do the same thing with non-Cartesian coordinates in curved space, you get additional terms in [itex]p_4 - p_2[/itex] that are due to connection coefficients, in addition to [itex][u,v][/itex].

(Note: in curved space, you can't interpret a tangent vector as a "displacement", but you can sloppily think of it that way as long as the size of the parallelogram is small enough.)
 
  • #28
stevendaryl said:
If you do the same thing with non-Cartesian coordinates in curved space, you get additional terms in [itex]p_4 - p_2[/itex] that are due to connection coefficients, in addition to [itex][u,v][/itex].

(Note: in curved space, you can't interpret a tangent vector as a "displacement", but you can sloppily think of it that way as long as the size of the parallelogram is small enough.)

In curved space,

[itex]\nabla_u v = \nabla_u (\sum_j v^j e_j)[/itex] where [itex]e_j[/itex] is a set of basis vectors. We can use the properties of derivatives to write:

[itex]\nabla_u v = (\sum_j \nabla_u v^j) e_j + \sum_j v^j (\nabla_u e_j)[/itex]

Similarly, [itex]\nabla_v u = (\sum_j \nabla_v u^j) e_j + \sum_j u^j (\nabla_v e_j)[/itex]

So the difference is:

[itex]\nabla_u v - \nabla_v u = \sum_j (\nabla_u v^j - \nabla_v u^j) e_j + \sum_j (v^j \nabla_u e_j) - \sum_i (u^i \nabla_v e_i)[/itex]

We can identify the terms on the left:
[itex] \sum_j (\nabla_u v^j - \nabla_v u^j) e_j \equiv [u,v][/itex]

[itex]\sum_j (v^j \nabla_u e_j) \equiv \sum_{ijk} u^i v^j \Gamma^k_{ij} e_k[/itex]
[itex]\sum_i (u^i \nabla_v e_i) \equiv \sum_{ijk} u^i v^j \Gamma^k_{ji} e_k[/itex]

So:
[itex]\nabla_u v - \nabla_v u = [u,v] + \sum_{ijk} (u^i v^j (\Gamma^k_{ij} - \Gamma^k_{ji}))[/itex]

In a coordinate basis (which is what I'm assuming), [itex]T(u,v) = \sum_{ijk} (u^i v^j (\Gamma^k_{ij} - \Gamma^k_{ji}))[/itex], so we have:
[itex]\nabla_u v - \nabla_v u = [u,v] + T(u,v)[/itex]

[edit] That should be: [itex]T(u,v) = \sum_{ijk} (u^i v^j (\Gamma^k_{ij} - \Gamma^k_{ji})e_k)[/itex],

which is what is being shown pictorially in your diagram.
 
Last edited:
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  • #29
stevendaryl said:
In curved space,

[itex]\nabla_u v = \nabla_u (\sum_j v^j e_j)[/itex] where [itex]e_j[/itex] is a set of basis vectors. We can use the properties of derivatives to write:

[itex]\nabla_u v = (\sum_j \nabla_u v^j) e_j + \sum_j v^j (\nabla_u e_j)[/itex]

Similarly, [itex]\nabla_v u = (\sum_j \nabla_v u^j) e_j + \sum_j u^j (\nabla_v e_j)[/itex]

So the difference is:

[itex]\nabla_u v - \nabla_v u = \sum_j (\nabla_u v^j - \nabla_v u^j) e_j + \sum_j (v^j \nabla_u e_j) - \sum_i (u^i \nabla_v e_i)[/itex]

We can identify the terms on the left:
[itex] \sum_j (\nabla_u v^j - \nabla_v u^j) e_j \equiv [u,v][/itex]

[itex]\sum_j (v^j \nabla_u e_j) \equiv \sum_{ijk} u^i v^j \Gamma^k_{ij} e_k[/itex]
[itex]\sum_i (u^i \nabla_v e_i) \equiv \sum_{ijk} u^i v^j \Gamma^k_{ji} e_k[/itex]

So:
[itex]\nabla_u v - \nabla_v u = [u,v] + \sum_{ijk} (u^i v^j (\Gamma^k_{ij} - \Gamma^k_{ji}))[/itex]

In a coordinate basis (which is what I'm assuming), [itex]T(u,v) = \sum_{ijk} (u^i v^j (\Gamma^k_{ij} - \Gamma^k_{ji}))[/itex], so we have:
[itex]\nabla_u v - \nabla_v u = [u,v] + T(u,v)[/itex]

which is what is being shown pictorially in your diagram.
Initially, I really appreciate your effort, your endeavour "stevendarly" :))Your sharing is so valuable, remarkable, and significant in my opinion. To sum up, I would like to ask one more final question about the terminology of your sharing in Torsion tensor derivation: I can not catch the meaning of
upload_2016-5-24_20-57-48.png
entirely in
upload_2016-5-24_20-58-33.png
( post#26). I have some thoughts as well as doubts about this situation, hence want to be sure: for what does
upload_2016-5-24_20-58-6.png
stand? What is the aim and meaning of it??
 
  • #30
mertcan said:
Initially, I really appreciate your effort, your endeavour "stevendarly" :))Your sharing is so valuable, remarkable, and significant in my opinion. To sum up, I would like to ask one more final question about the terminology of your sharing in Torsion tensor derivation: I can not catch the meaning of [deleted]

It's better if you used LaTex for formulas, instead of trying to get screenshots.

There is no point to [itex]\alpha[/itex] and [itex]\beta[/itex] other than that they are small positive real numbers, so that we can expand things in a power series in [itex]\alpha[/itex] and [itex]\beta[/itex] and just keep the lowest-order nonzero terms.

If [itex]\vec{u}[/itex] is a vector field, then that means that for each point [itex]p[/itex] in your space, then [itex]\vec{u}(p)[/itex] is a vector. In terms of coordinates (I'll assume [itex]x,y, z[/itex], then we have [itex]\vec{u}(x,y,z)[/itex].
  • Let [itex]p_0[/itex] be some point with coordinates [itex]x, y, z[/itex].
  • Let [itex]v_0[/itex] be the value of [itex]v[/itex] at that point. Let it have coordinates [itex]v_0^x, v_0^y, v_0^z[/itex]
  • Let [itex]\beta[/itex] be a small positive real number.
  • Let [itex]p_1[/itex] be the point [itex]p_0 + \beta \vec{v}[/itex], that is, the point with coordinates [itex]x + \beta v_0^x, y + \beta v_0^y, z + \beta v_0^z[/itex]
  • Let [itex]u_0[/itex] be the value of [itex]u[/itex] at point [itex]p_0[/itex]. Let it's coordinates be [itex]u_0^x, u_0^y, u_0^z[/itex]
  • Let [itex]u_1[/itex] be the value of [itex]u[/itex] at point [itex]p_1[/itex].
  • Let [itex]p_2[/itex] be the point [itex]p_1 + \alpha u_1[/itex].
How do we calculate the components of [itex]u_1[/itex]? Well, any smooth function of position can be expanded in a Taylor series:

[itex]f(p_1) \approx f(p_0) + \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}|_{p_0} \delta x + \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}|_{p_0} \delta y + \frac{\partial f}{\partial z}|_{p_0} \delta z[/itex], where [itex]|_{p_0}[/itex] means to evaluate the partial derivative at the point [itex]p_0[/itex] and where [itex]\delta x[/itex] means the change in [itex]x[/itex] in going from [itex]p_0[/itex] to [itex]p_1[/itex], and similarly for [itex]\delta y[/itex] and [itex]\delta z[/itex].

We can write that more compactly as [itex]f(p_1) \approx f(p_0) + \sum_j \delta x^j \frac{\partial f}{\partial x^j}[/itex], or even more compactly as:

[itex]f(p_1) \approx f(p_0) + (\vec{\delta p} \cdot \nabla) f|_{p_0}[/itex]

where [itex]\vec{\delta p} \cdot \nabla[/itex] is the operator [itex]\sum_j \delta x^j \frac{\partial}{\partial x^j}[/itex] , and where [itex]\delta p[/itex] is the displacement vector from [itex]p_0[/itex] to [itex]p_1[/itex].

So in our case, we are interested in [itex]u_1 \equiv u(p_1)[/itex]. So [itex]u_1 \equiv u(p_1) = u(p_0) + (\vec{\delta p} \cdot \nabla) u|_{p_0}[/itex]. The displacement vector from [itex]p_0[/itex] to [itex]p_1[/itex] is just [itex]\beta\vec{v}[/itex], so we have:

[itex]u_1 \equiv u(p_1) \approx u(p_0) + \beta (\vec{v} \cdot \nabla) u|_{p_0}[/itex]

Now, we define [itex]p_2[/itex] to be the point [itex]p_1 + \alpha \vec{u_1} = p_0 + \beta \vec{v_0} + \alpha \vec{u_0} + \alpha \beta (\vec{v} \cdot \nabla) u|_{p_0}[/itex]
 
Last edited:

1. What is the torsion tensor?

The torsion tensor is a mathematical quantity that describes the amount of twisting or rotation in a curved space. It is used in the study of differential geometry and general relativity.

2. How is the torsion tensor derived?

The torsion tensor is derived from the metric tensor and the Christoffel symbols, which are used to describe the curvature of a space. The specific derivation depends on the specific geometry being studied.

3. What is the physical significance of the torsion tensor?

The torsion tensor is important in physics because it describes the effect of rotation on a curved space, which is relevant in fields such as general relativity and cosmology.

4. How is the torsion tensor related to the Riemann curvature tensor?

The torsion tensor and the Riemann curvature tensor are both used to describe the curvature of a space, but they measure different aspects of curvature. The torsion tensor measures the amount of twisting or rotation, while the Riemann curvature tensor measures the amount of bending or warping.

5. What are some real-world applications of the torsion tensor?

The torsion tensor has applications in various fields such as physics, engineering, and computer graphics. It is used in the study of general relativity, the design of structures that can withstand torsional forces, and the creation of realistic animations of deformable objects.

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