Covariant Definition and 361 Threads

90 years have gone by since P.A.M. Dirac published his equation in 1928. Some of its most basic consequences however are only discovered just now. (At least I have never encountered this before). We present the Covariant QED representation of the Electromagnetic field. 1 - Definition of the...

Homework Statement We are given a Lorentz four-vector in "isospin space" with three components ##\vec v^{\mu} = (v^{\mu}_1, v^{\mu}_2, v^{\mu}_3)## and want to express the covariant derivative $$D^{\mu} = {\partial}^{\mu} - ig\frac {\vec \tau} {2}\cdot \vec v^{\mu}$$ explicitly in ##2\times 2##...

Homework Statement I am studying co- and contra- variant vectors and I found the video at youtube.com/watch?v=8vBfTyBPu-4 very useful. It discusses the slanted coordinate system above where the X, Y axes are at an angle of α. One can get the components of v either by dropping perpendiculars...

I've just learned about the covariant derivatives (##\nabla_i## and ##\delta/\delta t##) and I have a doubt. We should be able to say that $$ J^i = \frac{\delta A^i}{\delta t} = \frac{\delta^2 V^i}{\delta^2 t} = \frac{\delta^3 Z^i}{\delta^3 t} $$ where ##J## is the jolt. This...

Hi. The book I am using gives the following equations for the the Lorentz transformations of contravariant and covariant vectors x/μ = Λμν xν ( 1 ) xμ/ = Λμν xv ( 2 ) where the 2 Lorentz transformation matrices are the inverses of each other. I am trying to get equation 2...

O'Neill's Elementary Differential Geometry, in problem 3.4.5, asks the student to prove that isometries preserve covariant derivatives. Before solving the problem in general, I decided to work through the case where the isometry is a simple inversion: ##F(p)=-p##, using a couple of simple vector...

Homework Statement Assume that you want to the derivative of a vector V with respect to a component Zk, the derivative is then ∂ViZi/∂Zk=Zi∂Vi/∂Zk+Vi∂Zi/∂Zk = Zi∂Vi/∂Zk+ViΓmikZm Now why is it that I can change m to i and i to j in ViΓmikZm?

If we are representing the basis vectors as partial derivatives, then ##\frac{\partial}{\partial x^\nu + \Delta x^\nu} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x^\nu} + \Gamma^\sigma{}_{\mu \nu} \Delta x^\mu \frac{\partial}{\partial x^\sigma}## to first order in ##\Delta x##, correct? But in the same manner...

##\int d^4 x \sqrt {g} ... ## if I am given an action like this , were the ##\sqrt{\pm g} ## , sign depending on the signature , is to keep the integral factor invariant, when finding an eom via variation of calculus, often one needs to integrate by parts. When you integrate by parts, with...

I subtracted the ##\mu##-th component of the Lie Derivative of a Vector ##U## along a vector ##V## from the ##\mu##-th component of the Covariant derivative of the same vector ##U## along the same vector ##V## and I got ##(\nabla_V U)^\mu - (\mathcal{L}_V U)^\mu = U^\nu \partial_\nu V^\mu -...

Given a two particle scattering problem with (initial) relative velocity $|\vec{v}|$, apparently the product $E_{1}$E_{2}|\mathb{v}|$ can be expressed in the covariant form: $$ E_{1}E_{2}|\vec{v}| = \sqrt{ (p_{1}\cdot p_{2} - m_{1}^{2}m_{2}^{2}} $$ My textbook gives no further explanation -...

Homework Statement Hi I am looking at part a). Homework Equations below The Attempt at a Solution I can follow the solution once I agree that ## A^u U_u =0 ##. However I don't understand this. So in terms of the notation ( ) brackets denote the symmetrized summation and the [ ] the...

Hi, basic cartesian coordinates and we want to know the gradient of a scalar function of x,y, and z. So we can use the most basic basis there is of three orthogonal unit vectors and come up with the gradient of the scalar function. Now without rescaling the coordinate system or altering it in...

Hi, let ##\gamma (\lambda, s)## be a family of geodesics, where ##s## is the parameter and ##\lambda## distinguishes between geodesics. Let furthermore ##Z^\nu = \partial_\lambda \gamma^\nu ## be a vector field and ##\nabla_\alpha Z^\mu := \partial_\alpha Z^\mu + \Gamma^\mu_{\:\: \nu \gamma}...

... via plugging in the Fundamental theorem of Riemmanian Geometry : ##\Gamma^u_{ab}=\frac{1}{2}g^{uc}(\partial_ag_{bc}+\partial_bg_{ca}-\partial_cg_{ab})## Expanding out the covariant definition gives the geodesic equation as: (1) ##\ddot{x^u}+\Gamma^u_{ab} x^a x^b =0 ## (2) Lagrangian is...

Hello everyone. I've seen the usual Euler-Lagrange equation for lagrangians that depend on a vector field and its first derivatives. In curved space the equation looks the same, you just replace the lagrangian density for {-g}½ times the lagrangian density. I noticed that you can replace...

What is the covariant derivative of the position vector $\vec R$ in a general coordinate system? In which cases it is the same as the partial derivative ?

I am working through a derivation of the Dirac matrix transformation properties. I have a tensor for the Lorentz transformation that is covariant on the first index and contravariant on the second index. For the derivation, I need vice versa, i.e. covariant on the second index and contravariant...

On Riemannian manifolds ##\mathcal{M}## the covariant derivative can be used for parallel transport by using the Levi-Civita connection. That is Let ##\gamma(s)## be a smooth curve, and ##l_0 \in T_p\mathcal{M}## the tangent vector at ##\gamma(s_0)=p##. Then we can parallel transport ##l_0##...

Homework Statement Apologies if this is a stupid question but just thinking about the see-saw rule applied to something like: ## w_v \nabla_u V^v = w^v \nabla_u V_v ## It is not obvious that the two are equivalent to me since one comes with a minus sign for the connection and one with a plus...

In Hartle's Gravity we have the covariant derivative (first in an LIF) which is: ##\nabla_{\beta} v^{\alpha} = \frac{\partial v^{\alpha}}{\partial x^{\beta}}## As the components of the tensor ##\bf{ t = \nabla v}##. But, it's not clear which components they are! My guess is that...

Hi all I'm having trouble understanding what I'm missing here. Basically, if I write the Ricci scalar as the contracted Ricci tensor, then take the covariant derivative, I get something that disagrees with the Bianchi identity: \begin{align*} R&=g^{\mu\nu}R_{\mu\nu}\\ \Rightarrow \nabla...

The covariant derivative in standard model is given byDμ = ∂μ + igs Gaμ La + ig Wbμ Tb + ig'BμYwhere Gaμ are the eight gluon fields, Wbμ the three weak interaction bosons and Bμ the single hypercharge boson. The La's are SU(3)C generators (the 3×3 Gell-Mann matrices ½ λa for triplets, 0 for...

I'm going through Introduction_to_Tensor_Calculus by Wiskundige_Ingenieurstechnieken. I want to find the covariant and contravariant components of the cylindrical cooridnates. Ingerniurstechnieken sets tangent vectors as basis (E1, E2, E3). He also sets the normal vectors as another basis (E1...

Hi initially I am aware that christoffel symbols are not tensor so their covariant derivatives are meaningless, but my question is why do we have to use covariant derivative only with tensors? ?? Is there a logic of this situation? ?

Hi there, I have just read that the gauge field term Fμν is proportional to the commutator of covariant derivatives [Dμ,Dν]. However, when I try to calculate this commatator, taking the symmetry group to be U(1), I get the following: \left[ { D }_{ \mu },{ D }_{ \nu } \right] =\left( {...

Please help. I do understand the representation of a vector as: vi∂xi I also understand the representation of a vector as: vidxi So far, so good. I do understand that when the basis transforms covariantly, the coordinates transform contravariantly, and v.v., etc. Then, I study this thing...

How does one solve a problem like this? Suppose we have $$(e_\theta + f(\theta)e_\varphi) (e_\theta + f(\theta)e_\varphi)$$ What is the result of the above operation? As I remember it from the theory of covariant derivatives, the above relation would look like this $$e_\theta[e_\theta] +...

Riley Hobson and Bence define covariant and contravariant bases in the following fashion for a position vector $$\textbf{r}(u_1, u_2, u_3)$$: $$\textbf{e}_i = \frac{\partial \textbf{r}}{\partial u^{i}} $$ And $$ \textbf{e}^i = \nabla u^{i} $$ In the primed...

Homework Statement To show that ##K=V^uK_u## is conserved along an affinely parameterised geodesic with ##V^u## the tangent vector to some affinely parameterised geodesic and ##K_u## a killing vector field satisfying ##\nabla_a K_b+\nabla_b K_a=0## Homework Equations see above The Attempt at...

Hello there, Recently I encountered a type of covariant derivative problem that I never before encountered: $$ \nabla_\mu (k^\sigma \partial_\sigma l_\nu) $$ My goal: to evaluate this term According to Carroll, the covariant derivative statisfies ##\nabla_\mu ({T^\lambda}_{\lambda \rho}) =...

It is well known that the product rule for the exterior derivative reads d(a\wedge b)=(da)\wedge b +(-1)^p a\wedge (db),where a is a p-form. In gauge theory we then introduce the exterior covariant derivative D=d+A\wedge. What is then D(a ∧ b) and how do you prove it? I obtain D(a\wedge...

In a text I am reading (that I unfortunately can't find online) it says: "[...] differential forms should be thought of as the basis of the vector space of totally antisymmetric covariant tensors. Changing the usual basis dx^{\mu_1} \otimes ... \otimes dx^{\mu_n} with dx^{\mu_1} \wedge ...

Hello. I would like to check my understanding of how you transform the covariant coordinates of a vector between two bases. I worked a simple example in the attached word document. Let me know what you think.

Homework Statement Take the Covariant Derivative ∇_{c} ({∂}_b X^a) Homework Equations ∇_{c} (X^a) = ∂_c X^a + Γ_{bc}^a X^b ∇_{c} (X^a_b) = ∂_c X^a_b + Γ_{dc}^a X^d_b - Γ^d_{bc} X^a_d The Attempt at a Solution Looking straight at ∇_{c} ({∂}_b X^a) I'm seeing two indices. However, the b is...

Derivatives in first year calculus Gateaux Derivatives Frechet Derivatives Covariant Derivatives Lie Derivatives Exterior Derivatives Material Derivatives So, I learn about Gateaux and Frechet when studying calculus of variations I learn about Covariant, Lie and Exterior when studying calculus...

Hello! I am an undergraduate currently enrolled in a course on theoretical physics. One big part of the course is on the classical field theory of electromagnetism(on its covariant formulation using Lagrangians mostly). So, I would like to ask which are some good books on the subject. Thanks in...

I just read Carlo Rovelli new book "Reality is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity" in one sitting. I'd like to know about the following: "Fields that live on themselves, without the need of a spacetime to serve as a substratum, as a support, and which are capable by themselves of...

The standard way of writing Maxwell's equations is by assuming a vector potential ## A^\mu ## and then defining ## F_{\mu \nu}=\partial_\mu A_\nu-\partial_\nu A_\mu ##. Then by considering the action ## \displaystyle \mathcal S=-\int d^4 x \left[ \frac 1 {16 \pi} F_{\mu \nu}F^{\mu\nu}+\frac 1 c...

Hi, I am struggling to derive the relations on the right hand column of eq.(4) in https://arxiv.org/pdf/1008.4884.pdfEven the easy abelian one (third row) which is $$D_\rho B_{\mu\nu}=\partial_\rho B_{\mu\nu}$$ doesn't match my calculation Since $$D_\rho B_{\mu\nu}=(\partial_\rho+i g...

Covariant gamma matrices are defined by $$\gamma_{\mu}=\eta_{\mu\nu}\gamma^{\nu}=\{\gamma^{0},-\gamma^{1},-\gamma^{2},-\gamma^{3}\}.$$ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

Homework Statement I'm reading through A. Zee's "Quantum Field Theory in a nutshell" for personal learning and am a bit confused about a passage he goes through when discussing field theory for the electromagnetic field. I am well versed in non relativistic quantum mechanics but have no...

Homework Statement Suppose we have a covariant derivative of covariant derivative of a scalar field. My lecturer said that it should be equal to zero. but I seem to not get it Homework Equations Suppose we have $$X^{AB} = \nabla^A \phi \nabla^B \phi - \frac{1}{2} g^{AB} \nabla_C \phi \nabla^C...

Hi there I came across this paper. the author defines a covariant derivative in (1.3) ##D_\mu = \partial_\mu - ig A_\mu## He defines in (1.6) ##F_{jk} = i/g [D_j,D_k]## Why is it equal to ##\partial_j A_k - \partial_k A_j - ig [A_j, A_k]##? I suppose that it comes from a property of Lie...

Consider the covariant derivative ##D_{\mu}=\partial_{\mu}+ieA_{\mu}## of scalar QED. I understand that ##D_{\mu}\phi## is invariant under the simultaneous phase rotation ##\phi \rightarrow e^{i\Lambda}\phi## of the field ##\phi## and the gauge transformation ##A_{\mu}\rightarrow...

I am taking a course on GR and trying to understand Tensor calculus. I think I understand contravariant tensor (transformation of objects such as a vector from one frame to another) but I am having a hard time with covariant tensors. I looked into the Wikipedia page...

Consider the following Maxwell's equation in tensor notation: ##\partial_{k}F_{ij}=0## ##-\partial_{k}\epsilon_{ijm}B_{m}=0## ##\partial_{k}\epsilon_{ijm}B_{m}=0## ##\partial_{k}B_{k}=0## I wonder how you go from the third line to the fourth line.

hi, Initially I would like to ask a little and basic question: I know that $$v=\sum_{i=0} e_i v^i$$ where $$v^i=e^i v$$ But sometimes I think we can write the first equation like $$v=\sum_{i=0} e_i e^i v$$, and I am aware that $$e_i e^i=1$$ , then our equation becomes $$v=\sum_{i=0} v$$, ın...

I'm having trouble evaluating the following expression (LATEX): ##\nabla_{i}\nabla_{j}T^{k}= \nabla_{i} \frac{\delta T^{k}}{\delta z^{j}} + \Gamma^{k}_{i m} \frac{\delta T^{m}}{\delta z^{i}} + \Gamma^{k}_{i m} \Gamma^{m}_{i l} T^{l}## What are the next steps to complete the covariant...

(V(s)_{||})^\mu = V(s)^\mu + s \Gamma^\mu_{\nu \lambda} \frac{dx^\nu}{ds} V(s)^\lambda + higher-order terms (Here we have parallel transported vector from point "s" to a very close point)Hi, I tried to make some calculations to reach the high-order terms for parallel transporting of vector...