General Relativity and the Wave Equation
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Suppose that u is a function on space-time. We can define a vector field with components $triangledown^a u = g^{ab}partial_b u$.
Why have they chosen $g^{ab}$ and not $g_{ab}$ here?
The wave operator sends $u$ to
$$square u = triangledown_a(triangledown^a u)$$
Why here does you use superscript $a$ first and then subscript $a$?
differential-geometry mathematical-physics tensors wave-equation general-relativity
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
Suppose that u is a function on space-time. We can define a vector field with components $triangledown^a u = g^{ab}partial_b u$.
Why have they chosen $g^{ab}$ and not $g_{ab}$ here?
The wave operator sends $u$ to
$$square u = triangledown_a(triangledown^a u)$$
Why here does you use superscript $a$ first and then subscript $a$?
differential-geometry mathematical-physics tensors wave-equation general-relativity
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Suppose that u is a function on space-time. We can define a vector field with components $triangledown^a u = g^{ab}partial_b u$.
Why have they chosen $g^{ab}$ and not $g_{ab}$ here?
The wave operator sends $u$ to
$$square u = triangledown_a(triangledown^a u)$$
Why here does you use superscript $a$ first and then subscript $a$?
differential-geometry mathematical-physics tensors wave-equation general-relativity
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
$endgroup$
Suppose that u is a function on space-time. We can define a vector field with components $triangledown^a u = g^{ab}partial_b u$.
Why have they chosen $g^{ab}$ and not $g_{ab}$ here?
The wave operator sends $u$ to
$$square u = triangledown_a(triangledown^a u)$$
Why here does you use superscript $a$ first and then subscript $a$?
differential-geometry mathematical-physics tensors wave-equation general-relativity
differential-geometry mathematical-physics tensors wave-equation general-relativity
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
edited Dec 24 '18 at 22:34
Permian
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:28
PermianPermian
2,2061135
2,2061135
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
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active
oldest
votes
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In special and general relativity, whether an index is a subscript or superscript matters. We replace the invariant infinitesimal squared length in Euclidean spacetime expressible in terms of Cartesian coordinates viz. $sum_a dx_a^2$ with a more general quadratic function, which requires us to introduce a square matrix viz. $ds^2=g_{ab}dx^adx^b$. From this we get something that satisfies all inner product axioms, except for positive definiteness; in fact the positive and negative eigenvalues of $g_{ab}$ (this matrix is called the meric tensor) represent space and time (which way round depends on which of two conventions you use). You always sum over two matching indices at different heights; this is called contraction. You can use the metric or its inverse to change the index height, as in your first equation. Note in particular that $partial_b u=g_{bc}nabla^c u$.
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
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$begingroup$
Sorry but how does this answer the question?
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– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:14
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@Permian First you asked why we used $g^{ab}$ instead of $g_{ab}$; because $g_{ab}partial_b u$ doesn't make sense. Then you asked why we write $nabla_anabla^a u$, rather than both indices being downstairs; because that would also not make sense.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 17:38
$begingroup$
i think my key question is why dont they make sense?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:53
$begingroup$
@Permian What do you imagine $g_{ab}partial_b u$ would mean? How do you expect it transforms under coordinate transformations?
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 18:27
1
$begingroup$
ok I will do that tomorrow
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 22 '18 at 21:54
|
show 4 more comments
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In special and general relativity, whether an index is a subscript or superscript matters. We replace the invariant infinitesimal squared length in Euclidean spacetime expressible in terms of Cartesian coordinates viz. $sum_a dx_a^2$ with a more general quadratic function, which requires us to introduce a square matrix viz. $ds^2=g_{ab}dx^adx^b$. From this we get something that satisfies all inner product axioms, except for positive definiteness; in fact the positive and negative eigenvalues of $g_{ab}$ (this matrix is called the meric tensor) represent space and time (which way round depends on which of two conventions you use). You always sum over two matching indices at different heights; this is called contraction. You can use the metric or its inverse to change the index height, as in your first equation. Note in particular that $partial_b u=g_{bc}nabla^c u$.
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Sorry but how does this answer the question?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:14
$begingroup$
@Permian First you asked why we used $g^{ab}$ instead of $g_{ab}$; because $g_{ab}partial_b u$ doesn't make sense. Then you asked why we write $nabla_anabla^a u$, rather than both indices being downstairs; because that would also not make sense.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 17:38
$begingroup$
i think my key question is why dont they make sense?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:53
$begingroup$
@Permian What do you imagine $g_{ab}partial_b u$ would mean? How do you expect it transforms under coordinate transformations?
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 18:27
1
$begingroup$
ok I will do that tomorrow
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 22 '18 at 21:54
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
In special and general relativity, whether an index is a subscript or superscript matters. We replace the invariant infinitesimal squared length in Euclidean spacetime expressible in terms of Cartesian coordinates viz. $sum_a dx_a^2$ with a more general quadratic function, which requires us to introduce a square matrix viz. $ds^2=g_{ab}dx^adx^b$. From this we get something that satisfies all inner product axioms, except for positive definiteness; in fact the positive and negative eigenvalues of $g_{ab}$ (this matrix is called the meric tensor) represent space and time (which way round depends on which of two conventions you use). You always sum over two matching indices at different heights; this is called contraction. You can use the metric or its inverse to change the index height, as in your first equation. Note in particular that $partial_b u=g_{bc}nabla^c u$.
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Sorry but how does this answer the question?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:14
$begingroup$
@Permian First you asked why we used $g^{ab}$ instead of $g_{ab}$; because $g_{ab}partial_b u$ doesn't make sense. Then you asked why we write $nabla_anabla^a u$, rather than both indices being downstairs; because that would also not make sense.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 17:38
$begingroup$
i think my key question is why dont they make sense?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:53
$begingroup$
@Permian What do you imagine $g_{ab}partial_b u$ would mean? How do you expect it transforms under coordinate transformations?
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 18:27
1
$begingroup$
ok I will do that tomorrow
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 22 '18 at 21:54
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
In special and general relativity, whether an index is a subscript or superscript matters. We replace the invariant infinitesimal squared length in Euclidean spacetime expressible in terms of Cartesian coordinates viz. $sum_a dx_a^2$ with a more general quadratic function, which requires us to introduce a square matrix viz. $ds^2=g_{ab}dx^adx^b$. From this we get something that satisfies all inner product axioms, except for positive definiteness; in fact the positive and negative eigenvalues of $g_{ab}$ (this matrix is called the meric tensor) represent space and time (which way round depends on which of two conventions you use). You always sum over two matching indices at different heights; this is called contraction. You can use the metric or its inverse to change the index height, as in your first equation. Note in particular that $partial_b u=g_{bc}nabla^c u$.
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
$endgroup$
In special and general relativity, whether an index is a subscript or superscript matters. We replace the invariant infinitesimal squared length in Euclidean spacetime expressible in terms of Cartesian coordinates viz. $sum_a dx_a^2$ with a more general quadratic function, which requires us to introduce a square matrix viz. $ds^2=g_{ab}dx^adx^b$. From this we get something that satisfies all inner product axioms, except for positive definiteness; in fact the positive and negative eigenvalues of $g_{ab}$ (this matrix is called the meric tensor) represent space and time (which way round depends on which of two conventions you use). You always sum over two matching indices at different heights; this is called contraction. You can use the metric or its inverse to change the index height, as in your first equation. Note in particular that $partial_b u=g_{bc}nabla^c u$.
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
answered Dec 20 '18 at 20:36
J.G.J.G.
25.2k22539
25.2k22539
$begingroup$
Sorry but how does this answer the question?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:14
$begingroup$
@Permian First you asked why we used $g^{ab}$ instead of $g_{ab}$; because $g_{ab}partial_b u$ doesn't make sense. Then you asked why we write $nabla_anabla^a u$, rather than both indices being downstairs; because that would also not make sense.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 17:38
$begingroup$
i think my key question is why dont they make sense?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:53
$begingroup$
@Permian What do you imagine $g_{ab}partial_b u$ would mean? How do you expect it transforms under coordinate transformations?
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 18:27
1
$begingroup$
ok I will do that tomorrow
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 22 '18 at 21:54
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
Sorry but how does this answer the question?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:14
$begingroup$
@Permian First you asked why we used $g^{ab}$ instead of $g_{ab}$; because $g_{ab}partial_b u$ doesn't make sense. Then you asked why we write $nabla_anabla^a u$, rather than both indices being downstairs; because that would also not make sense.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 17:38
$begingroup$
i think my key question is why dont they make sense?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:53
$begingroup$
@Permian What do you imagine $g_{ab}partial_b u$ would mean? How do you expect it transforms under coordinate transformations?
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 18:27
1
$begingroup$
ok I will do that tomorrow
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 22 '18 at 21:54
$begingroup$
Sorry but how does this answer the question?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:14
$begingroup$
Sorry but how does this answer the question?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:14
$begingroup$
@Permian First you asked why we used $g^{ab}$ instead of $g_{ab}$; because $g_{ab}partial_b u$ doesn't make sense. Then you asked why we write $nabla_anabla^a u$, rather than both indices being downstairs; because that would also not make sense.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 17:38
$begingroup$
@Permian First you asked why we used $g^{ab}$ instead of $g_{ab}$; because $g_{ab}partial_b u$ doesn't make sense. Then you asked why we write $nabla_anabla^a u$, rather than both indices being downstairs; because that would also not make sense.
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 17:38
$begingroup$
i think my key question is why dont they make sense?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:53
$begingroup$
i think my key question is why dont they make sense?
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 21 '18 at 17:53
$begingroup$
@Permian What do you imagine $g_{ab}partial_b u$ would mean? How do you expect it transforms under coordinate transformations?
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 18:27
$begingroup$
@Permian What do you imagine $g_{ab}partial_b u$ would mean? How do you expect it transforms under coordinate transformations?
$endgroup$
– J.G.
Dec 21 '18 at 18:27
1
1
$begingroup$
ok I will do that tomorrow
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 22 '18 at 21:54
$begingroup$
ok I will do that tomorrow
$endgroup$
– Permian
Dec 22 '18 at 21:54
|
show 4 more comments
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