Weyl tensor in 2 dimensions- confused

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of the Weyl tensor in two-dimensional spaces, specifically addressing its expected nullity. It is established that the Weyl tensor must vanish in two dimensions, as all N=2 spaces are conformally flat. However, discrepancies arise when using different metric tensors, leading to confusion regarding the computation of the Weyl tensor. The participant concludes that the Weyl tensor is undefined in two dimensions, and the provided link is not applicable for this case.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Riemann and Weyl tensors in differential geometry
  • Familiarity with the concept of conformal flatness
  • Knowledge of metric tensors and their implications in curvature
  • Experience with the MTW (Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler) textbook, particularly exercises 14.2 and 21.21
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  • Review the properties of the Riemann tensor in two dimensions
  • Study the implications of conformal flatness in differential geometry
  • Examine the relationship between the Ricci scalar and the Weyl tensor
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Mathematicians, physicists, and students of general relativity seeking to deepen their understanding of tensor analysis and curvature in low-dimensional spaces.

zn5252
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hello,
The Weyl tensor is:

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0550321305002828-si53.gif

In 2 dimensions , the Riemann tensor is (see MTW ex 14.2):
Rabcd = K( gacgbd - gadgbc ) [R]

Now the Weyl tensor must vanish in 2 dimensions. However, working with the g

g =
[-1 0 0 1 ]
[ 0 1 0 0 ]
[ 0 0 1 0 ]
[ 0 0 0 1 ]

Will yield a null Weyl tensor indeed with a Ricci scalar of 12K (from formula R). (see solution of Pb 9.27 in Lightmann)
But in 2 dimensions with the g :

g =
[-1 0 ]
[ 0 1 ]

Will not give a null Weyl tensor ! with a Ricci scalar 2K (from formula R).

Now I'm confused. The issue is very easy though.
Where did I go wrong ?
 
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All N = 2 spaces are conformally flat.
This would mean that since the Weyl tensor vanishes for the conformal space whose Riemann tensor has the form [R], thus one can conclude that for N=2, the Weyl tensor is null.
This might make sense. But i do not know why the computation above did not yield a null Weyl tensor. For N=2 , the Weyl tensor is undefined, thus the link that I provided is not valid for N=2.
 
zn5252 said:
hello,
The Weyl tensor is:

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0550321305002828-si53.gif

In 2 dimensions , the Riemann tensor is (see MTW ex 14.2):
Rabcd = K( gacgbd - gadgbc ) [R]

Now the Weyl tensor must vanish in 2 dimensions. However, working with the g

g =
[-1 0 0 1 ]
[ 0 1 0 0 ]
[ 0 0 1 0 ]
[ 0 0 0 1 ]

Will yield a null Weyl tensor indeed with a Ricci scalar of 12K (from formula R). (see solution of Pb 9.27 in Lightmann)
But in 2 dimensions with the g :

g =
[-1 0 ]
[ 0 1 ]

Will not give a null Weyl tensor ! with a Ricci scalar 2K (from formula R).

Now I'm confused. The issue is very easy though.
Where did I go wrong ?

This is related to the last question of MTW ex 21.21
 
In an inertial frame of reference (IFR), there are two fixed points, A and B, which share an entangled state $$ \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(|0>_A|1>_B+|1>_A|0>_B) $$ At point A, a measurement is made. The state then collapses to $$ |a>_A|b>_B, \{a,b\}=\{0,1\} $$ We assume that A has the state ##|a>_A## and B has ##|b>_B## simultaneously, i.e., when their synchronized clocks both read time T However, in other inertial frames, due to the relativity of simultaneity, the moment when B has ##|b>_B##...

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