Riemann tensor given the space/metric

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the Riemann tensor for two given metrics, with one being flat and the other exhibiting nonzero curvature. Participants express challenges in computing the necessary components, particularly the B's, due to the linear nature of the off-diagonal terms in the metrics. It is noted that in two-dimensional manifolds, there is only one independent component of the Riemann tensor, which should simplify calculations. Alternative methods, such as using geodesic equations and connection one-forms, are suggested for determining the curvature tensor. The conversation emphasizes the need for different approaches when standard methods fail.
Whitehole
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Homework Statement


Given two spaces described by
##ds^2 = (1+u^2)du^2 + (1+4v^2)dv^2 + 2(2v-u)dudv##
##ds^2 = (1+u^2)du^2 + (1+2v^2)dv^2 + 2(2v-u)dudv##

Calculate the Riemann tensor

Homework Equations


Given the metric and expanding it ##~~~g_{τμ} = η_{τμ} + B_{τμ,λσ}x^λx^σ + ...##
We have the Riemann tensor, ##R_{τρμν} = B_{τν,ρμ} + B_{ρμ,τν} - B_{ρν,τμ} - B_{τμ,ρν}##

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm having problems calculating the B's for the above spaces.
There is also one space given by ##ds^2 = (1+(ax+cy)^2)dx^2 + (1+(by+cx)^2)dy^2 + 2(ax+cy)(by+cx)dxdy## where I know how to compute the B's. Since in 2D, the Riemann tensor has only one component, that is ##R_{1212}##. For ##g_{11}## we have ##B_{1122} = c^2##, for ##g_{22}## we have ##B_{2211} = c^2##, for ##g_{12} = g_{21}## we have ##B_{1212} = ½(ab + c^2)##

For the above spaces, it seems every B is 0. I can't seem to understand why.
 
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Your metric tensor is not of the given form, the off diagonal components are linear and not quadratic in the coordinates.
 
Orodruin said:
Your metric tensor is not of the given form, the off diagonal components are linear and not quadratic in the coordinates.
Yes, that is why I'm wondering. The book stated that the first space is flat and the second space has a nonzero curvature.
 
Whitehole said:
Yes, that is why I'm wondering. The book stated that the first space is flat and the second space has a nonzero curvature.
This just means you have to find you curvature tensor through other means, not that it is impossible to compute it.
 
Orodruin said:
This just means you have to find you curvature tensor through other means, not that it is impossible to compute it.
I tried finding the geodesic equation and read off the Christoffel symbol then derive the Riemann tensor through the Christoffel symbol. It worked but it's insanely long, that is why I'm thinking of another way to do it.
 
In a 2 dimensional (semi)-Riemannian manifold there is only ##\mathbf{one}## linearly independent component of the Riemann tensor (I think in Wald's General Relativity there's a proof of this). That should make it easier (##\simeq## shorter)!
 
lautaaf said:
In a 2 dimensional (semi)-Riemannian manifold there is only ##\mathbf{one}## linearly independent component of the Riemann tensor (I think in Wald's General Relativity there's a proof of this). That should make it easier (##\simeq## shorter)!
Yes I already stated that in my first post. My question is the method that I've done in post#1 is not working but I've done it in another way (post#5). Maybe there is another way.
 
Whitehole said:
Yes I already stated that in my first post. My question is the method that I've done in post#1 is not working but I've done it in another way (post#5). Maybe there is another way.

Oh, sorry, it seems i missed that.
You can also compute the components of ##R^{a}{}_{bcd}## in a orthonormal frame, via the connection one-forms and Cartan's structure equations.
 
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