Transformation of connection coefficients

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the transformation of connection coefficients in the context of differential geometry, specifically addressing the transformation relation $$V^{\nu'} = \frac{\partial x^{\nu'}}{\partial x^{\nu}} V^{\nu}$$. Participants clarify the application of the Leibniz rule and the chain rule for partial derivatives, leading to the expression $$\partial_{\mu'} = \frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x^{\mu'}} \partial_\mu$$. This transformation is essential for understanding how to relate different coordinate systems in tensor calculus.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential geometry concepts
  • Familiarity with tensor calculus
  • Knowledge of the Leibniz rule for differentiation
  • Proficiency in applying the chain rule for partial derivatives
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the chain rule in tensor calculus
  • Explore the properties of connection coefficients in differential geometry
  • Learn about the implications of coordinate transformations on vector fields
  • Investigate the role of the Levi-Civita connection in Riemannian geometry
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students and professionals in mathematics, physics, and engineering who are working with differential geometry, particularly those studying general relativity or advanced topics in theoretical physics.

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
formule.png
 
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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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