Gen. Rel. - Simple tensor stuff

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In summary, the conversation is discussing the problem of finding the general solution to Einstein's equations for a Robertson-Walker cosmology with a stress-energy tensor corresponding to the fluctuations of the void in QFT. This involves using the equations G_{\mu\nu}=8\pi GT_{\mu\nu} and R_{\mu\nu}=8\pi G(\Lambda - \frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu}T^{\lambda}_{\lambda}) to determine R=-8\pi GT^{\lambda}_{\lambda}, with the additional information that g^\lambda_\lambda=\delta^\lambda_\lambda=4 and R^\lambda_\lambda=R.
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quasar987
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This is a problem that is solved in my course notes, but I don't follow how it's done.

The problem is to find the general solution to Einstein's equations for a Robertson-Walker cosmology with a stress-energy tensor corresponding to the fluctuations of the void in QFT. This only means that [tex]T_{\mu\nu}=\Lambda g_{\mu\nu}[/tex] where lambda is a scalar.

So it start with

[tex]G_{\mu\nu}=8\pi GT_{\mu\nu}[/tex]

[tex]R_{\mu\nu}-\frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu}R=8\pi G \Lambda g_{\mu\nu}[/tex]

And then the next line is

[tex]R_{\mu\nu}=8\pi G(\Lambda - \frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu}T^{\lambda}_{\lambda})[/tex]

Since when is

[tex]R=-8\pi GT^{\lambda}_{\lambda}[/tex]

?
 
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Since:

[tex]R^\lambda_\lambda-\frac{1}{2}g^\lambda_\lambda R=8\pi G T^\lambda_\lambda[/tex]

and [tex]g^\lambda_\lambda=\delta^\lambda_\lambda=4[/tex] and [tex]R^\lambda_\lambda=R[/tex].

That's since when.
 
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FAQ: Gen. Rel. - Simple tensor stuff

What is general relativity?

General relativity is a theory of gravity proposed by Albert Einstein in 1915. It explains the force of gravity as a curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy.

What is a tensor in general relativity?

In general relativity, a tensor is a mathematical object that describes how quantities, such as mass and energy, are distributed in space and time. It is used to calculate the curvature of spacetime and the motion of objects under the influence of gravity.

How is a tensor represented in general relativity?

A tensor is represented as a multidimensional array of numbers, with each number representing a specific component of the tensor. The number of dimensions and the values of each component depend on the type of tensor and the specific equations being used.

What is the difference between a tensor and a vector in general relativity?

A vector is a type of tensor that has a magnitude and direction, while a tensor can have multiple components and is used to describe more complex quantities. Vectors are often used to represent the movement of objects in spacetime, while tensors are used to describe the curvature of spacetime itself.

How is general relativity different from Newton's law of gravitation?

General relativity is a more complete and accurate theory of gravity than Newton's law of gravitation. While Newton's law only describes the force of gravity as a pull between two objects, general relativity explains gravity as a curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects. It also accounts for the effects of acceleration, time dilation, and the bending of light in the presence of strong gravitational fields.

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