A Primer on Tensor Calculus
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Tensors and Differential Forms on Vector Spaces
APPENDIX A TENSORS AND DIFFERENTIAL FORMS ON VECTOR SPACES Since only so much of the vast and growing field of differential forms and differentiable manifolds will be actually used in this survey, we shall attempt to briefly review how the calculus of exterior differential forms on vector spaces can serve as a replacement for the more conventional vector calculus and then introduce only the most elementary notions regarding more topologically general differentiable manifolds, which will mostly be used as the basis for the discussion of Lie groups, in the following appendix. Since exterior differential forms are special kinds of tensor fields – namely, completely-antisymmetric covariant ones – and tensors are important to physics, in their own right, we shall first review the basic notions concerning tensors and multilinear algebra. Presumably, the reader is familiar with linear algebra as it is usually taught to physicists, but for the “basis-free” approach to linear and multilinear algebra (which we shall not always adhere to fanatically), it would also help to have some familiarity with the more “abstract-algebraic” approach to linear algebra, such as one might learn from Hoffman and Kunze [ 1], for instance. 1. Tensor algebra. – A tensor algebra is a type of algebra in which multiplication takes the form of the tensor product. a. Tensor product. – Although the tensor product of vector spaces can be given a rigorous definition in a more abstract-algebraic context (See Greub [ 2], for instance), for the purposes of actual calculations with tensors and tensor fields, it is usually sufficient to say that if V and W are vector spaces of dimensions n and m, respectively, then the tensor product V ⊗ W will be a vector space of dimension nm whose elements are finite linear combinations of elements of the form v ⊗ w, where v is a vector in V and w is a vector in W. -
A Mathematical Derivation of the General Relativistic Schwarzschild
A Mathematical Derivation of the General Relativistic Schwarzschild Metric An Honors thesis presented to the faculty of the Departments of Physics and Mathematics East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Honors Scholar and Honors-in-Discipline Programs for a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics by David Simpson April 2007 Robert Gardner, Ph.D. Mark Giroux, Ph.D. Keywords: differential geometry, general relativity, Schwarzschild metric, black holes ABSTRACT The Mathematical Derivation of the General Relativistic Schwarzschild Metric by David Simpson We briefly discuss some underlying principles of special and general relativity with the focus on a more geometric interpretation. We outline Einstein’s Equations which describes the geometry of spacetime due to the influence of mass, and from there derive the Schwarzschild metric. The metric relies on the curvature of spacetime to provide a means of measuring invariant spacetime intervals around an isolated, static, and spherically symmetric mass M, which could represent a star or a black hole. In the derivation, we suggest a concise mathematical line of reasoning to evaluate the large number of cumbersome equations involved which was not found elsewhere in our survey of the literature. 2 CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................. 2 1 Introduction to Relativity ...................... 4 1.1 Minkowski Space ....................... 6 1.2 What is a black hole? ..................... 11 1.3 Geodesics and Christoffel Symbols ............. 14 2 Einstein’s Field Equations and Requirements for a Solution .17 2.1 Einstein’s Field Equations .................. 20 3 Derivation of the Schwarzschild Metric .............. 21 3.1 Evaluation of the Christoffel Symbols .......... 25 3.2 Ricci Tensor Components ................. -
Tensors Notation • Contravariant Denoted by Superscript Ai Took a Vector and Gave for Vector Calculus Us a Vector
Tensors Notation • contravariant denoted by superscript Ai took a vector and gave For vector calculus us a vector • covariant denoted by subscript Ai took a scaler and gave us a vector Review To avoid confusion in cartesian coordinates both types are the same so • Vectors we just opt for the subscript. Thus a vector x would be x1,x2,x3 R3 • Summation representation of an n by n array As it turns out in an cartesian space and other rectilinear coordi- nate systems there is no difference between contravariant and covariant • Gradient, Divergence and Curl vectors. This will not be the case for other coordinate systems such a • Spherical Harmonics (maybe) curvilinear coordinate systems or in 4 dimensions. These definitions are closely related to the Jacobian. Motivation If you tape a book shut and try to spin it in the air on each indepen- Definitions for Tensors of Rank 2 dent axis you will notice that it spins fine on two axes but not on the Rank 2 tensors can be written as a square array. They have con- third. That’s the inertia tensor in your hands. Similar are the polar- travariant, mixed, and covariant forms. As we might expect in cartesian izations tensor, index of refraction tensor and stress tensor. But tensors coordinates these are the same. also show up in all sorts of places that don’t connect to an anisotropic material property, in fact even spherical harmonics are tensors. What are the similarities and differences between such a plethora of tensors? Vector Calculus and Identifers The mathematics of tensors is particularly useful for de- Tensor analysis extends deep into coordinate transformations of all scribing properties of substances which vary in direction– kinds of spaces and coordinate systems. -
The Levi-Civita Tensor Noncovariance and Curvature in the Pseudotensors
The Levi-Civita tensor noncovariance and curvature in the pseudotensors space A. L. Koshkarov∗ University of Petrozavodsk, Physics department, Russia Abstract It is shown that conventional ”covariant” derivative of the Levi-Civita tensor Eαβµν;ξ is not really covariant. Adding compensative terms, it is possible to make it covariant and to be equal to zero. Then one can be introduced a curvature in the pseudotensors space. There appears a curvature tensor which is dissimilar to ordinary one by covariant term including the Levi-Civita density derivatives hence to be equal to zero. This term is a little bit similar to Weylean one in the Weyl curvature tensor. There has been attempted to find a curvature measure in the combined (tensor plus pseudotensor) tensors space. Besides, there has been constructed some vector from the metric and the Levi-Civita density which gives new opportunities in geometry. 1 Introduction Tensor analysis which General Relativity is based on operates basically with true tensors and it is very little spoken of pseudotensors role. Although there are many objects in the world to be bound up with pseudotensors. For example most of particles and bodies in the Universe have angular momentum or spin. Here is a question: could a curvature tensor be a pseudotensor or include that in some way? It’s not clear. Anyway, symmetries of the Riemann-Christopher tensor are not compatible with those of the Levi-Civita pseudotensor. There are examples of using values in Physics to be a sum of a tensor and arXiv:0906.0647v1 [physics.gen-ph] 3 Jun 2009 a pseudotensor. -
Laplacians in Geometric Analysis
LAPLACIANS IN GEOMETRIC ANALYSIS Syafiq Johar syafi[email protected] Contents 1 Trace Laplacian 1 1.1 Connections on Vector Bundles . .1 1.2 Local and Explicit Expressions . .2 1.3 Second Covariant Derivative . .3 1.4 Curvatures on Vector Bundles . .4 1.5 Trace Laplacian . .5 2 Harmonic Functions 6 2.1 Gradient and Divergence Operators . .7 2.2 Laplace-Beltrami Operator . .7 2.3 Harmonic Functions . .8 2.4 Harmonic Maps . .8 3 Hodge Laplacian 9 3.1 Exterior Derivatives . .9 3.2 Hodge Duals . 10 3.3 Hodge Laplacian . 12 4 Hodge Decomposition 13 4.1 De Rham Cohomology . 13 4.2 Hodge Decomposition Theorem . 14 5 Weitzenb¨ock and B¨ochner Formulas 15 5.1 Weitzenb¨ock Formula . 15 5.1.1 0-forms . 15 5.1.2 k-forms . 15 5.2 B¨ochner Formula . 17 1 Trace Laplacian In this section, we are going to present a notion of Laplacian that is regularly used in differential geometry, namely the trace Laplacian (also called the rough Laplacian or connection Laplacian). We recall the definition of connection on vector bundles which allows us to take the directional derivative of vector bundles. 1.1 Connections on Vector Bundles Definition 1.1 (Connection). Let M be a differentiable manifold and E a vector bundle over M. A connection or covariant derivative at a point p 2 M is a map D : Γ(E) ! Γ(T ∗M ⊗ E) 1 with the properties for any V; W 2 TpM; σ; τ 2 Γ(E) and f 2 C (M), we have that DV σ 2 Ep with the following properties: 1. -
Arxiv:0911.0334V2 [Gr-Qc] 4 Jul 2020
Classical Physics: Spacetime and Fields Nikodem Poplawski Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of New Haven, CT, USA Preface We present a self-contained introduction to the classical theory of spacetime and fields. This expo- sition is based on the most general principles: the principle of general covariance (relativity) and the principle of least action. The order of the exposition is: 1. Spacetime (principle of general covariance and tensors, affine connection, curvature, metric, tetrad and spin connection, Lorentz group, spinors); 2. Fields (principle of least action, action for gravitational field, matter, symmetries and conservation laws, gravitational field equations, spinor fields, electromagnetic field, action for particles). In this order, a particle is a special case of a field existing in spacetime, and classical mechanics can be derived from field theory. I dedicate this book to my Parents: Bo_zennaPop lawska and Janusz Pop lawski. I am also grateful to Chris Cox for inspiring this book. The Laws of Physics are simple, beautiful, and universal. arXiv:0911.0334v2 [gr-qc] 4 Jul 2020 1 Contents 1 Spacetime 5 1.1 Principle of general covariance and tensors . 5 1.1.1 Vectors . 5 1.1.2 Tensors . 6 1.1.3 Densities . 7 1.1.4 Contraction . 7 1.1.5 Kronecker and Levi-Civita symbols . 8 1.1.6 Dual densities . 8 1.1.7 Covariant integrals . 9 1.1.8 Antisymmetric derivatives . 9 1.2 Affine connection . 10 1.2.1 Covariant differentiation of tensors . 10 1.2.2 Parallel transport . 11 1.2.3 Torsion tensor . 11 1.2.4 Covariant differentiation of densities . -
Vectors, Matrices and Coordinate Transformations
S. Widnall 16.07 Dynamics Fall 2009 Lecture notes based on J. Peraire Version 2.0 Lecture L3 - Vectors, Matrices and Coordinate Transformations By using vectors and defining appropriate operations between them, physical laws can often be written in a simple form. Since we will making extensive use of vectors in Dynamics, we will summarize some of their important properties. Vectors For our purposes we will think of a vector as a mathematical representation of a physical entity which has both magnitude and direction in a 3D space. Examples of physical vectors are forces, moments, and velocities. Geometrically, a vector can be represented as arrows. The length of the arrow represents its magnitude. Unless indicated otherwise, we shall assume that parallel translation does not change a vector, and we shall call the vectors satisfying this property, free vectors. Thus, two vectors are equal if and only if they are parallel, point in the same direction, and have equal length. Vectors are usually typed in boldface and scalar quantities appear in lightface italic type, e.g. the vector quantity A has magnitude, or modulus, A = |A|. In handwritten text, vectors are often expressed using the −→ arrow, or underbar notation, e.g. A , A. Vector Algebra Here, we introduce a few useful operations which are defined for free vectors. Multiplication by a scalar If we multiply a vector A by a scalar α, the result is a vector B = αA, which has magnitude B = |α|A. The vector B, is parallel to A and points in the same direction if α > 0. -
Kähler Manifolds, Ricci Curvature, and Hyperkähler Metrics
K¨ahlermanifolds, Ricci curvature, and hyperk¨ahler metrics Jeff A. Viaclovsky June 25-29, 2018 Contents 1 Lecture 1 3 1.1 The operators @ and @ ..........................4 1.2 Hermitian and K¨ahlermetrics . .5 2 Lecture 2 7 2.1 Complex tensor notation . .7 2.2 The musical isomorphisms . .8 2.3 Trace . 10 2.4 Determinant . 11 3 Lecture 3 11 3.1 Christoffel symbols of a K¨ahler metric . 11 3.2 Curvature of a Riemannian metric . 12 3.3 Curvature of a K¨ahlermetric . 14 3.4 The Ricci form . 15 4 Lecture 4 17 4.1 Line bundles and divisors . 17 4.2 Hermitian metrics on line bundles . 18 5 Lecture 5 21 5.1 Positivity of a line bundle . 21 5.2 The Laplacian on a K¨ahlermanifold . 22 5.3 Vanishing theorems . 25 6 Lecture 6 25 6.1 K¨ahlerclass and @@-Lemma . 25 6.2 Yau's Theorem . 27 6.3 The @ operator on holomorphic vector bundles . 29 1 7 Lecture 7 30 7.1 Holomorphic vector fields . 30 7.2 Serre duality . 32 8 Lecture 8 34 8.1 Kodaira vanishing theorem . 34 8.2 Complex projective space . 36 8.3 Line bundles on complex projective space . 37 8.4 Adjunction formula . 38 8.5 del Pezzo surfaces . 38 9 Lecture 9 40 9.1 Hirzebruch Signature Theorem . 40 9.2 Representations of U(2) . 42 9.3 Examples . 44 2 1 Lecture 1 We will assume a basic familiarity with complex manifolds, and only do a brief review today. Let M be a manifold of real dimension 2n, and an endomorphism J : TM ! TM satisfying J 2 = −Id. -
Tensor Manipulation in GPL Maxima
Tensor Manipulation in GPL Maxima Viktor Toth http://www.vttoth.com/ February 1, 2008 Abstract GPL Maxima is an open-source computer algebra system based on DOE-MACSYMA. GPL Maxima included two tensor manipulation packages from DOE-MACSYMA, but these were in various states of disrepair. One of the two packages, CTENSOR, implemented component-based tensor manipulation; the other, ITENSOR, treated tensor symbols as opaque, manipulating them based on their index properties. The present paper describes the state in which these packages were found, the steps that were needed to make the packages fully functional again, and the new functionality that was implemented to make them more versatile. A third package, ATENSOR, was also implemented; fully compatible with the identically named package in the commercial version of MACSYMA, ATENSOR implements abstract tensor algebras. 1 Introduction GPL Maxima (GPL stands for the GNU Public License, the most widely used open source license construct) is the descendant of one of the world’s first comprehensive computer algebra systems (CAS), DOE-MACSYMA, developed by the United States Department of Energy in the 1960s and the 1970s. It is currently maintained by 18 volunteer developers, and can be obtained in source or object code form from http://maxima.sourceforge.net/. Like other computer algebra systems, Maxima has tensor manipulation capability. This capability was developed in the late 1970s. Documentation is scarce regarding these packages’ origins, but a select collection of e-mail messages by various authors survives, dating back to 1979-1982, when these packages were actively maintained at M.I.T. When this author first came across GPL Maxima, the tensor packages were effectively non-functional. -
HARMONIC MAPS Contents 1. Introduction 2 1.1. Notational
HARMONIC MAPS ANDREW SANDERS Contents 1. Introduction 2 1.1. Notational conventions 2 2. Calculus on vector bundles 2 3. Basic properties of harmonic maps 7 3.1. First variation formula 7 References 10 1 2 ANDREW SANDERS 1. Introduction 1.1. Notational conventions. By a smooth manifold M we mean a second- countable Hausdorff topological space with a smooth maximal atlas. We denote the tangent bundle of M by TM and the cotangent bundle of M by T ∗M: 2. Calculus on vector bundles Given a pair of manifolds M; N and a smooth map f : M ! N; it is advantageous to consider the differential df : TM ! TN as a section df 2 Ω0(M; T ∗M ⊗ f ∗TN) ' Ω1(M; f ∗TN): There is a general for- malism for studying the calculus of differential forms with values in vector bundles equipped with a connection. This formalism allows a fairly efficient, and more coordinate-free, treatment of many calculations in the theory of harmonic maps. While this approach is somewhat abstract and obfuscates the analytic content of many expressions, it takes full advantage of the algebraic symmetries available and therefore simplifies many expressions. We will develop some of this theory now and use it freely throughout the text. The following exposition will closely fol- low [Xin96]. Let M be a smooth manifold and π : E ! M a real vector bundle on M or rank r: Throughout, we denote the space of smooth sections of E by Ω0(M; E): More generally, the space of differential p-forms with values in E is given by Ωp(M; E) := Ω0(M; ΛpT ∗M ⊗ E): Definition 2.1. -
Chapter 5 ANGULAR MOMENTUM and ROTATIONS
Chapter 5 ANGULAR MOMENTUM AND ROTATIONS In classical mechanics the total angular momentum L~ of an isolated system about any …xed point is conserved. The existence of a conserved vector L~ associated with such a system is itself a consequence of the fact that the associated Hamiltonian (or Lagrangian) is invariant under rotations, i.e., if the coordinates and momenta of the entire system are rotated “rigidly” about some point, the energy of the system is unchanged and, more importantly, is the same function of the dynamical variables as it was before the rotation. Such a circumstance would not apply, e.g., to a system lying in an externally imposed gravitational …eld pointing in some speci…c direction. Thus, the invariance of an isolated system under rotations ultimately arises from the fact that, in the absence of external …elds of this sort, space is isotropic; it behaves the same way in all directions. Not surprisingly, therefore, in quantum mechanics the individual Cartesian com- ponents Li of the total angular momentum operator L~ of an isolated system are also constants of the motion. The di¤erent components of L~ are not, however, compatible quantum observables. Indeed, as we will see the operators representing the components of angular momentum along di¤erent directions do not generally commute with one an- other. Thus, the vector operator L~ is not, strictly speaking, an observable, since it does not have a complete basis of eigenstates (which would have to be simultaneous eigenstates of all of its non-commuting components). This lack of commutivity often seems, at …rst encounter, as somewhat of a nuisance but, in fact, it intimately re‡ects the underlying structure of the three dimensional space in which we are immersed, and has its source in the fact that rotations in three dimensions about di¤erent axes do not commute with one another. -
Solving the Geodesic Equation
Solving the Geodesic Equation Jeremy Atkins December 12, 2018 Abstract We find the general form of the geodesic equation and discuss the closed form relation to find Christoffel symbols. We then show how to use metric independence to find Killing vector fields, which allow us to solve the geodesic equation when there are helpful symmetries. We also discuss a more general way to find Killing vector fields, and some of their properties as a Lie algebra. 1 The Variational Method We will exploit the following variational principle to characterize motion in general relativity: The world line of a free test particle between two timelike separated points extremizes the proper time between them. where a test particle is one that is not a significant source of spacetime cur- vature, and a free particles is one that is only under the influence of curved spacetime. Similarly to classical Lagrangian mechanics, we can use this to de- duce the equations of motion for a metric. The proper time along a timeline worldline between point A and point B for the metric gµν is given by Z B Z B µ ν 1=2 τAB = dτ = (−gµν (x)dx dx ) (1) A A using the Einstein summation notation, and µ, ν = 0; 1; 2; 3. We can parame- terize the four coordinates with the parameter σ where σ = 0 at A and σ = 1 at B. This gives us the following equation for the proper time: Z 1 dxµ dxν 1=2 τAB = dσ −gµν (x) (2) 0 dσ dσ We can treat the integrand as a Lagrangian, dxµ dxν 1=2 L = −gµν (x) (3) dσ dσ and it's clear that the world lines extremizing proper time are those that satisfy the Euler-Lagrange equation: @L d @L − = 0 (4) @xµ dσ @(dxµ/dσ) 1 These four equations together give the equation for the worldline extremizing the proper time.