Where should I ask about mathematical problems with Riemann curvature tensor

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriate forum section for posting mathematical problems related to the Riemann curvature tensor, particularly in the context of learning General Relativity. Participants consider whether such questions should be directed to the main discussion area or the homework section, depending on the nature of the problems and the participant's educational context.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about where to post mathematical problems related to the Riemann tensor while learning General Relativity, expressing that the problems are challenging.
  • Another participant suggests that if the problems are actual homework, they should be posted in the homework forum, but if they are for self-study, they can be asked in the main section, with a recommendation to show efforts made in solving them.
  • A third participant indicates that graduate-level homework can be posted in the main section, while undergraduate problems should go to the homework forums, referencing updated guidelines.
  • One participant points out a broken link to the guidelines and shares a screenshot of the error encountered.
  • Another participant provides an alternative link to the global guidelines for reference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriateness of posting homework questions based on the educational level, indicating that there is no consensus on a single approach for all types of questions.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference changing guidelines regarding the posting of homework questions, indicating that the rules may not be universally understood or agreed upon.

aditya ver.2.0
Messages
67
Reaction score
4
I have come about few mathematical problems related to Riemann Tensor analysis while learning General Relativity. Should I ask these questions in this section or in the homework section. They are pretty hard!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If they're actual homework for a class you're taking, you should ask them in the appropriate homework forum.

If you're trying to learn GR on your own, not as part of a class, and you have questions about things you're not sure of you can ask them here, but the homework forum template is still a good guide to follow if you want helpful answers: for example, if you're not sure why a certain property holds, don't just ask why it's true, show your own efforts to either prove or disprove it, and where you got stuck.
 
If the problems are for a graduate level class, I believe you are allowed to ask them here even if they are homework. If it's an undergraduate class, use the homework forums.

The guidelines have changed slightly, but it looks like this is still the case:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/new-pf-global-guidelines.148164/
Homework Help:
On posting questions: Any and all high school and undergraduate homework assignments or textbook style exercises for which you are seeking assistance are to be posted in our Science Education Zone. This should be done whether or not the problem is part of one's coursework. The reason for this is that the scientific and mathematical sections of Physics Forums are to be reserved for discussions and not academic assistance. Since graduate level assignments are meant to be more thought provoking (and hence more worthy of discussion), graduate level questions will be allowed in the relevant part of the main section of PF, provided that the graduate student attempts the problem and shows his work. NOTE: You MUST show that you have attempted to answer your question in order to receive help. You MUST make use of the homework template, which automatically appears when a new topic is created in the homework help forums.
 
Hi Pevect,

FYI The link didn't work for me... I attached a screen shot with the permissions error.
pervect said:
The guidelines have changed slightly, but it looks like this is still the case:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/new-pf-global-guidelines.148164/

upload_2014-11-17_11-32-43.png
 
That works, Thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
529
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
4K