Transformation of connection coefficients

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation of connection coefficients in the context of differential geometry and tensor calculus, specifically examining the transformation relations for vector fields and the application of the Leibniz rule. Participants are exploring the mathematical steps involved in deriving these transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about a specific term in the transformation relation for vector fields.
  • Another participant suggests that the term arises from applying the Leibniz rule to the transformation relation.
  • A request is made for a step-by-step derivation of the result to clarify the confusion.
  • Further clarification is sought regarding the expression of partial derivatives in terms of one another.
  • Participants discuss the correct transformation of partial derivatives, with one confirming the use of the chain rule.
  • There is a reiteration of the transformation relation, with participants attempting to clarify and refine the expression for the covariant derivative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the application of the chain rule for partial derivatives, but there is no consensus on the clarity of the transformation steps or the specific term in question. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the complete derivation and understanding of the transformation of connection coefficients.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential missing assumptions about the context of the transformation and the specific definitions of the terms involved. The mathematical steps leading to the transformation are not fully resolved, leaving some ambiguity in the discussion.

accdd
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I don't understand why the highlighted term is there.
This image was taken from Sean Carroll's notes available here: preposterousuniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/grnotes-three.pdf
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This follows directly (together with the first term) from writing out the transformation relation ##V^{\nu’} = \frac{\partial x^{\nu’}}{\partial x^\nu} V^\nu## and applying the Leibniz rule.
 
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Thanks for the answer, could you show me the steps to get to the result?
 
I think it would be more instructive if you do what I proposed starting from the first line in (3.3) and show us the steps until you get stuck.
 
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$$V^{\nu'}=\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}}V^{\nu}$$
$$
\nabla_{\mu'}V^{\nu'}=\partial_{\mu'}(\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}}V^{\nu})+\Gamma^{\nu'}_{\mu'\lambda'}(\frac{\partial x^{\lambda'}}{\partial x^{\lambda}}V^{\lambda}) =\partial_{\mu'}(\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}})V^{\nu}+\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}} \partial_{\mu'}V^{\nu}+\Gamma^{\nu'}_{\mu'\lambda'}\frac{\partial x^{\lambda'}}{\partial x^{\lambda}}V^{\lambda}=
$$
 
Ok. So the piece that you're missing is expressing ##\partial_{\mu'}## in terms of ##\partial_\mu##. Are you familiar with any way to relate those two partial derivatives?
 
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Is this the correct transformation?
$$
\partial_{\mu'}=\frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x^{\mu'}}\partial_\mu
$$
$$
\partial_{\mu'}(\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}})V^{\nu}+\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}} \partial_{\mu'}V^{\nu}+\Gamma^{\nu'}_{\mu'\lambda'}\frac{\partial x^{\lambda'}}{\partial x^{\lambda}}V^{\lambda}= \frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x^{\mu'}}\partial_\mu(\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}})V^{\nu}+\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}} \frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x^{\mu'}}\partial_\mu V^{\nu}+\Gamma^{\nu'}_{\mu'\lambda'}\frac{\partial x^{\lambda'}}{\partial x^{\lambda}}V^{\lambda}
$$

so the first line of 3.3 should be more clearly:
$$
\nabla_{\mu'}V^{\nu'}=(\frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x^{\mu'}}\partial_\mu)(\frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}}V^{\nu})+\Gamma^{\nu'}_{\mu'\lambda'}(\frac{\partial x^{\lambda'}}{\partial x^{\lambda}}V^{\lambda})
$$
 
Last edited:
accdd said:
Is this the correct transformation?
$$
\partial_{\mu'}=\frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x^{\mu'}}\partial_\mu
$$
Yes. That is the chain rule for partial derivatives.
 
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