(1945) A New Approach To Kinematic Cosmology
(1945) A New Approach To Kinematic Cosmology
(1945) A New Approach To Kinematic Cosmology
The kinematical aspect of relativistic cosmology is examined on the basis of three postulated
requirements: The constancy of the velocity of light, spatial isotropy, and homogeneity. Three
distinct types of cosmological models are obtained, characterized by different motions of
nebulae. The metric of any universe is conformal to Minkowski space and Maxwell's equations
are the same for all possible universes. In Part II, it is shown that the cosmological models
are metrically, though not topologically, equivalent to those of H. P. Robertson. Next, special
models are examined and their line elements brought into the conformal-Minkowskian form.
The problem of the displacement of the lines of nebular spectra is discussed; formulas are
obtained and applied to some special cosmological models. Finally, idealized experiments are
described which indicate the physical content of the cosmological coordinates.
I. General Theory
related to the principle of homogeneity. T h u s the the type of motion of fundamental particles,
line elements discussed in cosmology are usually rather t h a n the space structure.
of the form T h e ideas which have been sketched above
ds2 = dr2-R2(r)d(r2. (0.1) will become clearer if we now summarize some
of our results. 4
Here R(T) is an a r b i t r a r y function of time and E v e r y cosmological background is a Rieman-
da2 is the metric of a three-dimensional space of nian manifold with a metric of the form
constant curvature k=l, — 1 , or 0. T h u s the
ds2 = y(t, r)(dt2-dx2-dy2-dz2),
universe is characterized by an arbitrary function (0.2)
R(T) and by the choice of one a m o n g three r2 = x2+y2+z2.
possible spaces. T h e problem of the motion of
fundamental particles disappears from such a W e shall see t h a t y is not an arbitrary function
presentation because these particles are always of t a n d r; b u t for the conclusions which we shall
a t rest. I t is the space structure, i.e. the curvature now draw the particular form of y does n o t enter
kR~2(r) of the 3-space r = constant, which the argument. A coordinate system in which the
characterizes the cosmological model. I t should Riemannian metric has the form (0.2) will be
be noted t h a t , in the coordinate system of (0.1), called a cosmological coordinate system, or, briefly,
t h e speed of light in a n y fixed direction is a a c.c.s.
function of time and depends on both k and T h u s every cosmological background is con-
formal to a Minkowski background. Physically,
Obviously, a discussion in which the four- the light geometry is t h a t of a flat Minkowski
dimensional universe is characterized chiefly by continuum. T h e line element (0.2) appears as a
the curvature of a three-dimensional space is natural generalization of the Minkowski space in
contrary to the spirit of relativity theory in restricted relativity.
which t h e world is represented b y a four-dimen- W e may, however, interpret (0.2) in a different
sional space-time continuum. Historically, this way and say t h a t every cosmological background
approach goes back to Einstein's first cosmo- differs from a Minkowski background only b y a
logical paper, 3 to the Einstein universe of which gauging function determining the behavior of
all others seem to be natural generalizations. clocks and measuring rods. T h i s s t a t e m e n t
This point of view, based on dynamic considera- requires some amplification. Starting from (0.2),
tion^ and on the generalization of the gravita- and without transforming the coordinate system,
tional equations, was long ago abandoned by its we introduce new clocks and measuring rods b y
originator. means of the gauge transformation, 5
W e believe t h a t a deeper insight into cos- ds' — \ds-, X = 7~*.
mological problems is gained b y a new approach.
Relativistic cosmology, a t least in its kinematical We then have 7 , = T _ 1 T = 1, and the vector field,
aspect, should form a link between the restricted characterizing the gauging (i.e., the metrical
and general theories of relativity. In restricted connection), changes from x% — 0 to
relativity the world is represented by a Min-
kowski continuum. This is one of m a n y cos- x / = d(log.A)/d**= - J d ( l o g y)/dx\
mological backgrounds which satisfy the prin- W e can, therefore, characterize a cosmological
ciple of homogeneity. We shall see t h a t an space b y
approach to cosmology is possible in which the ds'* = dt2-dx2-dy2-dz\
structure of a three-dimensional space does not (0.3)
enter the picture. W e believe t h a t this new x/=-id(log7)/d*«,
approach p u t s into the foreground the more
i.e., b y a Minkowski metric a n d a n integrable
essential concepts of kinematical cosmology, i.e.,
4
3
L . Infeld, "A New Approach to Relativistic Cos-
A. Einstein, "Kosmologische Betrachtungen zur Allge- mology," Nature 156, 114 (1945).
5
meinen Relativitatstheorie," Sitz. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. H. Weyl, Space, Time, Matter (Methuen & Company,
142-152 (1917). Ltd., London, 1922), Chapter II, Section 16.
252 L. INFELD AND A. SCHILD
gauging field %/• This is a new geometric picture electron. Indeed, much work was done in solving
and, though (0.3) can always be replaced by Dirac's equations for cosmological spaces. From
(0.2), this new interpretation is very suggestive our point of view, the problem, properly formu-
as it abandons all discussion of curved, expanding lated, is the following: Are Dirac's equations,
universes and shifts the responsibility for cos- like Maxwell's equations, insensitive to the
mological phenomena to the gauging field, the choice of the y function or not? The answer to
gradient of a scalar field, which determines the this question is not as simple as in the case of
behavior of clocks and measuring rods. Maxwell's equations and requires a special
It should be added that this interpretation, investigation which will be given elsewhere.
though based on Weyl's famous work, has The most obvious conclusions resulting from
nothing in common with Weyl's unified field the fact that the cosmological background can
theory. No connection is assumed between the be represented by (0.2) or (0.3) have been formu-
vector Xi a n d the vector potential of an electro- lated above. It has been seen how the problem
magnetic field. of space structure disappears if the c.c.s. is used
The next conclusion which may be drawn from and it will be shown how the problem of the
(0.2) and (0.3) is that Maxwell's equations are motion of fundamental particles appears instead.
the same for flat space as for any cosmological In a c.c.s. the fundamental particles are, in
space.6 This immediately follows from (0.3) and general, not at rest. Three types of motion are
from the fact that Maxwell's equations are gauge possible, namely, the oscillating motion, the
invariant. But for the sake of clarity this simple converging-diverging motion, and the simple case
conclusion will be deduced from (0.2). We write of rest. To each permissible form of the function
Maxwell's equations for empty space in the 7 there belongs at least (and, in general, exactly)
usual form one kind of motion. This motion, and not the
space structure, characterizes the universe. It is
dFii/Bxh+dF;k/dxi+dFki/dxi = Q, the study of the permissible functions y and the
(0.4)
d((-g)*/w)/&s/ = 0. associated motions which forms the chief content
We have of this paper.
1. DERIVATION OF THE LINE-ELEMENTS
(0.5)
= vikVilFkh The derivation of the metrical forms which
where describe the universe as a whole will be based on
ri o o 0^ three distinct postulates. All three assumptions
have immediate physical significance. The last
0 -1 0 0
two are well justified by recent astronomical ob-
0 0 - 1 0 servations. It is not claimed that the first pos-
tulate is completely independent of the other
[o o o - J
two; however, as it has a simple physical content,
Therefore Maxwell's equations, which are dif- we prefer to introduce it as a separate require-
ferential equations for Fijf have the following ment.
form both for a Minkowski and a cosmological Postulate I on light-geometry.—There exists a
background: coordinate system such that the geometry of
light rays is the same as in flat Minkowski
dFij/dtf+dFjk/dxi+dFki/dx'^O, space; i.e., light rays travel along straight lines
(0.6)
r}ikrj3ldFki/dxJ' = 0. with constant velocity c=l, say.
Mathematically, this implies that the four-
Another problem which suggests itself here is space must be conformal to Minkowski space,
that of Dirac's relativistic equations for an i.e., the line element may be written in the form
6
This conclusion seems to be unknown. Compare E.
Schrodinger, "Maxwell's and Dirac's Equations in the ds2 = y{dt2-dx2-dy2-dz1)1 (1.1)
Expanding Universe," Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. 46A, 25-47 i 3
(1940). = yrjijdx dx \ (l.H)
KINEMATIC COSMOLOGY 253
where 7 is a function of /, x, y, z. In (1.11) the lines different from it. The existence of such a
usual summation convention applies to double group of coordinate transformations restricts the
indices,7 xl (i = 0, 1, 2, 3) = (t, x, y, s). possible functions y(t, r). In the following we
Postulate 11 on isotropy.—The universe, char- find line elements which satisfy our homogeneity
acterized by the' line element (1.1), is spatially postulate. However, the treatment adopted here
isotropic. gives no indication as to whether the admissible
Mathematically, the cosmological line element forms have been exhausted or not. In the
must be invariant in form under a 3-parameter appendix, the powerful methods of the theory
continuous group of rotations which leaves every of continuous groups are applied to the problem
point on the t axis fixed. An immediate conse- and it is there shown that the simpler arguments
quence is that 7 is a function of / and x2-\-y2-\-z2 of this section do, indeed, yield essentially all
only: possible line elements.
y = y(t,r), r2 = x2+y2+z2. (1.2) Consider the hyperquadric
variables Z\, 22, zz, K~h±\ for negative K, that of hand side of (1.32) are invariant under Lorentz
Lorentz transformations of the " time-like" transformations of the variables z0, 21, z2y z% with
variable (—K)~h± and the "space-like" variables Zi—>Zt, i.e., with a—>a. By (1.31), we see that
zu £2, 23. Thus/=/(js 0 ) yields, by (1.33), the line such transformations of the five-space are
elements simply the Lorentz transformations in our
original space of variables x\ The new line
^ 2 = ( 1 -Ka/4)-*f(t/(l -Ka/tyrHjdxidx*, (1.4) elements are, by (1.33), of the form
which satisfy our three postulates. The com- ds2 = y(a)7]ijdxidxJ\ (1.5)
plicated transformations (see appendix) leaving where
this form invariant appear, by the above, simply 2
as ' 'rotations" of a four-dimensional subspace T (a) = ( l - J £ a / 4 ) -
about a line (the ZQ axis) in a five-dimensional
manifold. X/(-(-20-» ). (1.51)
The metric form (1.4) is admissible for all
non-zero values of K. It is natural to consider the From the way in which it was obtained, it is
limiting case when K = 0, and clear that (1.5) is equivalent to (1.4; K<0).
ds2 = f(t)rjijdxidx3'. (1.41) However, (1.5) is much simpler than the previous
forms (1.4), and this is also true of the group of
The limiting process K—>0 is difficult to carry coordinate transformations which leave the line
out on the five-dimensional linear transforma- element invariant and hence of the motion of
tions of the z considered above. However, it is fundamental particles. Thus we shall, whenever
immediately obvious that the line element (1.41) possible, prefer to characterize universes by the
conforms to the homogeneity requirement as it metric (1.5) rather than by (1.4) if K<0.
is invariant under spatial translations The last cosmological line element which we
(*, x, y, z)->(t, x + Z, y + rj, * + ? ) . (1.42) derive is equivalent to (1.41), where K = 0. It is
more cumbersome than (1.41) and need not be
We shall formally include (1.41) in the metric discussed in detail. However, we include it in
forms (1.4) by permitting K to become zero. this section for the sake, of completeness. The
Then, as will be shown in the following and in inversion
the appendix, the metric forms (1.4) describe all
possible universes which satisfy our three pos- {t.x^-^i-t/a.x^/a), < r = l , 2 , 3 , (1.61)
tulates. The line elements (1.4) can be written in is a conformal transformation of Minkowski
the form space and changes (1.41) into the form9
ds* = f(t/(l -Ka/4))ds0\ (1.43)
ds2=(\/a2)f(-t/a)rHjdxidxK (1.6)
where dso2 is the line element of an indefinite
4-space of constant curvature —K. This may be The minus-sign in the inversion (1.61) is neces-
contrasted with the forms (0.1) where a 3-space sary to preserve the sense of time. The group of
of constant curvature is multiplied by an arbi- transformations which leave (1.6) invariant are
trary function (of time). obtained from the spatial translations (1.42) by
We shall now obtain two further metric forms subjecting them to the inversion (1.61).
which are admissible. However, as they are ob- This completes our survey of the cosmological
tained from some of the line elements (1.4), for line elements satisfying our three requirements.
K<0, by coordinate transformations, they do The forms (1.4), (1.5), (1.6), are shown, in the
not yield new universes and are essentially appendix, to exhaust all possibilities, except for a
equivalent to those included above. trivial change of the temporal origin, i.e., except
If K<0, then z02 and ( — \/K)z£ have the same 9
It may be noted that if (1.4) be written in the form
signature in (1.3) and in (1.32). Thus we may ds* = <f>(Kt/±(l-i£a/4))(i£/4)2(l-Ka/^Sadx^x^ then,
interchange those two variables. Then / is a ifplicitly, the function <f> does not involve the parameter K im-
we obtain (1.6) from (1.4) by the limiting process
function of z± only, i.e., of a; (1.3) and the left-
KINEMATIC COSMOLOGY 255
K
Case («>0) Transformations preserving ds
2
I 1/a (l-a/4a*)-y(t/(l-a/4**)) Rotations in (21, 0:24) plane
II - 1/a2 (l-fa/4a 2 )- 2 /(//(l-fo/4a s )) Lorentz transf. in (zi, «z4) plane
II' y(a) Lorentz transformations of x*
III 0 /(0 Spatial translations of x*
III' (l/a»)/(-//a) From III by inversion
for the forms obtained from them by the trans- The / axis x — 0 has, in the z space, the para-
formation /—>£+constant. metric equations
We summarize the results of this section in
Table I. Zo = V ( l - * 7 4 a 2 ) , *i = 0,
(2.3)
24=(l+/V4a2)/(l~/2/4a2),
2. THE MOTION OF FUNDAMENTAL PARTICLES
by (1.31). The equations are those of a rec-
The postulate of homogeneity ensures the
tangular hyperbola in the (z0, 01Z4) plane, as
existence of coordinate changes which leave the
shown in Fig. la. The path of a fundamental
metric form invariant and transform the / axis
particle in the z space is obtained by rotating
into other world-lines which are the t axes of the
the hyperbola about the z0 axis through some
new coordinate systems. It follows from the
angle p. In Fig. lb, this is the hyperbola in the
isotropy of the line element, which must hold in
plane p. We obtain the world-line of the funda-
all equivalent coordinate systems, that these
mental particle in the tx plane by projection
world-lines are geodesies. Thus it is natural to
from the pole 5 = ( 0 , 0 , - 1 ) onto the plane
identify such geodesies with the world-lines of
p . = = - £ 4 = l . In the figure, the points of the
the fundamental particles. If xl—>xfi(x) is a
hyperbolas in the planes p and P, which are
transformation leaving (1.1) invariant, then the
related by projection from S> are denoted by the
equations of motion of the fundamental particle,
same letter, lower case letters being used for
which is related to the new coordinate system,
points in p and capital letters for points in P .
are
It should be noticed that the branch abc of the
x'*(tyx, j , s ) = 0 , (7 = 1,2,3. (2.1) hyperbola in p is projected into the finite arc
The spatial isotropy of the universe implies ABC in P .
that the world-line of a fundamental particle Before obtaining the algebraic expressions for
must, in cosmological coordinates, lie in a plane the motion of fundamental particles, the im-
through the t axis; i.e., the fundamental particles 2.
move radially. Thus we may, without loss of
generality, consider fundamental world-lines in
the tx plane only, and, throughout this section,
assume the two equations of motion
y — z — 0. (2.2)
u—
The third equation, describing the motion along
the x axis, will be obtained and discussed in each
of the five cases enumerated in Table I.
Case I—K=l/a2>0.—We need consider only
Euclidean rotations in the (zu azi) plane, since,
by (1.31), 37 = 2 = 0 implies z2 = 23 = 0. Thus, sup-
pressing two dimensions, the rotations about the
z0 axis and the paths of fundamental particles can u-u
easily be visualized by means of a diagram. FIG. la. / axis in z space.
256 L. INFELD AND A. SCHILD
Plane P^
•X—x-
eCZ*.
2.
portant problem of connectivity has to be dealt tified with the points, C, E, R (and c, e, r),
with. It follows immediately from the fact that respectively. The path of a fundamental particle
an operation of projection has been used that is the branch abc (c^a) of the hyperbola in p
the "ends at infinity" of any straight line must or the arc ABC (C=A) in P . The set of all
be identified. Thus both the z and x spaces have fundamental particles is obtained by letting p
the connectivity of projective spaces. We shall, assume all values from — w/2 to TT/2.
however, postulate a further connectivity. Re-
turning for the moment to the full five-dimen-
sional space, the points (s0, Si, z2, s3, z±) and
(so, — Si, —z2l —S3, — £4) on the hyperquadric
(1.3) will be identified. This is permissible as the
transformation (s0, %i, z2i s3, s4)—>(%, — zh —z%,
—S3, —ZA) leaves the form (1.32) invariant, /
being a function of ZQ only. Thus the three-
dimensional section
So = constant,
(2.31)
Si +S 2 + S32 + «2S42 = S02 + « 2
2 2
whose two branches are identified, is the world- term oscillating t o typify the general universe 1
line of the fundamental particle a t the greatest and t h e motion of fundamental particles.
distance from the spatial origin. For this particle T w o simple examples follow, t h e first of a
#min = 2a:. As is clear from Fig. I d , the coor- periodic a n d t h e second of a non-periodic
dinate distance 4 a m a y b e described a s t h e universe:
"perimeter of the universe" a t time £ = 0; i t is ds2= {(1 -a/^.a2)2-\-t2/a2}-l7lijdxidx^ (2.45)
the finite length of the x axis.
T h e second bounding hyperbola x2 — t2 = ~4=a2, is the line element of a cosmological model of
whose two branches are identified, is the locus type I, which will later (in p a r t II) be identified
of the points a t the greatest distance from the with the Einstein universe. W e immediately have
spatial origin on each world-line of a funda- 2a
mental particle. T o p u t i t differently, i t is the S~- dt/(l +t2/4:a2)=Tra. (2.46)
locus of the events where the fundamental par- / _9«
ticles reach the amplitudes of their oscillations,
T h u s S is finite and the universe is periodic.
stop receding, a n d s t a r t moving toward t h e
Next, we consider the De Sitter universe of
spatial origin. T h e coordinate time interval 4 a
type I, sometimes referred t o as the De Sitter-
is the period of the oscillating universe as deter-
Lanczos universe (see P a r t I I ) . I t s line element is
mined by the fundamental observer x = 0.
T h e periodicity of the oscillating universe is ds2= (1 -a/ia^Vijdx'dxK (2.47)
further exemplified b y following the p a t h of a
light ray emitted a t some event P in the direc- In this case /»2a
4U
tion of t h e positive x axis. W i t h o u t loss of dt/(l-t2/4a2) (2.48)
generality, we m a y take P on the t axis of our / -2a
coordinate system. Keeping t h e elliptic con-
TABLE II. The motion of fundamental particles.
nectivity in mind, we see t h a t the world-line is
PQR, RS, SP, a s shown in Fig. Id. T h u s the Case Equation of motion Type of motion
light emitted by a fundamental observer returns
I t2-X2-(4a/v)x+4a2 = 0 Oscillating
to him after a finite coordinate time 4a. II t2 - x2+ (4a/v)x - 4<x2 = 0 Converging-diverging
I t is i m p o r t a n t t o note t h a t t h e physical II' x = vt
III x— constant Rest
behavior of a cosmological model of t y p e I is n o t 2 2
necessarily of a periodic nature. T h e finite . t
nr t -x -x/v=o
KINEMATIC COSMOLOGY 259
It should be noted that the parameter v is now (so, 2i, (xzA)—->( — az±, Zu Zo). (2.61)
limited to the interval —1 to 1. The world-lines The minus sign has to be introduced in order
(2.55) are rectangular hyperbolas meeting the that the sense of time be preserved. Using (2.51),
t axis in the two fixed points t= =k2a. we obtain, by a short calculation,
In contrast to the previous case, the only con-
nectivity of the tx plane in the present case is that (X, Y)-+«X-1)/(X+1),
of a projective plane. All finite points represent (F-1)/(F+1)). (2.62)
distinct events and no two are identified.
Rather than continue the examination of this If this transformation is applied to the equation
cosmological model in the c.c.s. II we shall find of motion (2.55), the equation of motion (2.6)
it more convenient now to introduce the c.c.s. results. Thus the parameter v is actually the
ir. same in both (2.55) and (2.6). It might be
260 L. INFELD AND A. SCHILD
noted that (2.62) transforms the time interval d of the complete group G, such that Gi moves
{ — 2a, 2a) in Case II into the interval (0, <*>) of
a plane through the / axis into itself. The trans-
the / axis in II'. formations of Gi may be combined with suitable
Case III—K — 0.—It follows from the trans- spatial rotations to yield the required three-
formation (1.42) that the equation of motion of parameter group G. The invariant plane of Gi,
fundamental particles is the tx plane, say, determines a preferred spatial
direction. Thus it is convenient .to introduce
x — constant. (2.7) cylindrical spatial coordinates (x, p, <p) in which
The fundamental particles are at rest, as shown the line element (1.1) becomes
in Fig. 3. ds2 = y(t, r)(dt2-dx2-dp2-p2d<p2)',
Case III'.—Subjecting equation (2.7) to the (A2)
inversion (1.61), we obtain the equation of r2 = x2+p2.
motion
As we are not interested in spatial rotations, we
t2-x2-x/v = 0, (2.8) may at the outset assume
where v is a constant. Thus the motion of funda- v = v, ^ = 0. (A21)
mental particles is along rectangular hyperbolas,
all touching the t axis at the origin. The equations of Killing are now, for i = j ,
The results of this section are summarized in y,t^+y,r^x/r+y,r^p/r+2y^t = 0y
Table II. ' t x p x
y,t% +y,r£ x/r+y,rZ p/r+2y£ ,z = 0,
APPENDIX (A22)
y.t¥+y,rS*x/r+ytrZ'p/r+2yZ'.p = 0t
In this section the theory of continuous groups
will be applied to the problem of finding all y,ttt+y,r£xx/r+yApp/r+2y^/p = 01
functions y(t, r) in the line element (1.1) which and for i^jy
satisfy the postulate of homogeneity. This prin-
ciple states that the space with the metric form
(1.1) admits a continuous group G of motions
which do not move the t axis into itself. The
contravariant components £* of the infinitesimal The last three equations of (A23) show that all
motion, which generates the group, satisfy the £* are independent of <p. From the Eqs. (A22),
equations of Killing10 we have
*S=**.*=*'.P={ p /p. (A24)
?gith+g*?. j+g*?. i = 0, (Al)
We shall now proceed as follows: The first
where the comma denotes partial differentiation;
three equations of (A23) and Eqs. (A24) will be
thus gij,k = dgij/dxk, etc.
solved and the functions £* obtained. Substi-
After solving Killing's equations for the £*,
tuting in any of the Eqs. (A22) we next obtain
the finite transformations of a one-parameter
a differential equation for y. This equation will
group are obtained by integrating the system of
be solved under different assumptions which
differential equations11
exhaust all possibilities. Finally, substituting for
l 3
dx /dp=^{x\ x\ x\ x ), (All) (•* in Eqs. (All), the finite transformations of the
group G\ may be obtained. However, as the
with the initial conditions xi — xi when p = 0\ main purpose of this appendix is to determine all
p is the parameter of the group. admissible functions 7, this last step will not be
It follows from the isotropy of the space that discussed in detail and only the results will be
it is sufficient to find a one-parameter subgroup given.
10 From the last of the relations (A24), we have
L. P. Eisenhart, Riemannian Geometry (Princeton
University Press, Princeton, 1926), Eq. (70.1).
11
Reference 10, Eq. (66.3).
KINEMATIC COSMOLOGY 261
I 4 (l-a)-«/(*/(l-a)) t -r2-(2/v)r+\=0
2
Oscillating
II -4 (l+a)-*/W(l+a)) t2-r2+(2/v)r-l=0
II' y(a) r — vt Converging-diverging
III 0 7(0 r — constant Rest
III' (\/a*)f{-t/a) t2-r2-(l/v)r =0
leave the form (A6) invariant are we obtain /, t = 0. Thus f=f(v), and
x±(Z 2 --p 2 )* = 2i£-*tan { t a n " 1 ^ y=(t*-r*)-*f(-t/(t*-r*)). (A7)
2 2
X(^±(^ -p )") + 2 X - ^ } , (A62)
This is the universe III', Table I. The finite
p/t = p/t. transformations which leave the line element
(A7) invariant can be shown to be
4. b T^O, g/b-e2/4b2 = 0 —This is the last pos-
sibility and concludes our examination of spaces x±(i2- p2)$=(xMt2~ P2)h-bp)~\
which admit a group G o f motions. From Eq. (A72)
(A61), we now have p/'t=p/t.
are identified by virtue of the elliptic con- The cosmological line element (3.1), in spatial
nectivity. polar coordinates, is
The forms II' are obtained from II by the
ds2 = y(t, r){dt2-dr2-r2dB2-r2 sin2 6d<p2), (4.3)
coordinate transformation
where all permissible functions y are listed in
(X, F ) ^ ( ( X - 1 ) / ( X + 1 ) , ( F - 1 ) / ( F + 1 ) ) , (3.5)
Table III. It will be shown that the line elements
where (4.2) and (4.3) are equivalent and that they can
X = t+r, Y=t-r. (3.6) be obtained from each other by a coordinate
The forms III' are obtained from III by the transformation.
inversion We introduce the variables:
(/, r ) - » ( - * / a , r/a). (3.7) X=(t+r), Y=(t-r)y (4.31)
and
Using spherical spatial coordinates (r, 0, <p), the * = *(r+p), * = i ( r - p ) . (4.32)
transformation equations (3.5) and (3.7) must
be supplemented by It may be noted that X, F, and, as will be seen
shortly, £, rj, r, p, are essentially the same quan-
(0, <p)->(6, <p). (3.8) tities as were introduced in Section 2 (where
4. THE COSMOLOGICAL AND THE ROBERTSON y and z were both zero and therefore x appeared
COORDINATE SYSTEMS instead of r).
Case I—K = 4.—In terms of the variables X
The coordinate system by which cosmological and F, we have, by (4.3) and Table III,
models have usually been described in the past
is, in its general form, due to H. P. Robertson. 13 2_ / l X+Y\ lj /X+F\21
An a priori separation of space-time into space
\2 1-XY) 41 \ \ - X Y ) J
and time is ensured by writing the line element
in the form UXdY-(X- Y)2(d62+sm2 dd<p2)
ds2 = dT'2-Ri2da\ (4.1) (1+X2)(1+F2) '
2
where da is the positive definite metric of a The transformation to the Robertson coordinate
3-space. The assumptions of isotropy and system is
homogeneity of space impose two restrictions: X = tan J, Y= tan rj. (4.4)
Ri — RI(T') is a function of time only, and da2 is
the differential form of a 3-space of constant We immediately obtain
curvature k = l, —1, or 0. ds2 = f(± tan (£+*)) • \ sec2 (£+*?)
Let
• { 4 ^ 7 7 - s i n 2 (£-r7)(d0 2 +sin 2 dd?2)),
f
T=fdT'/R1(r'), R(r)^R1(r ). (4.11)
which, by (4.32), assumes the form (4.2-4.21),
where
Then the line element (4.1) assumes the form
R2(r) = I sec2 r/(J tan r), and k = 1. (4.41)
ds2 = R2(r)(dr2-d(T2)1 (4.2)
From this last relation we note that not all
where, with suitable spatial coordinates, we may
Robertson universes, with k = l, can actually be
write
brought into the cosmological form I. Only if the
d<r2 = dP2+sin2 P(dd2+sm2 dd<p2), function R(T) is periodic and of period ir is this
if * = 1, (4.21) possible. This can also be seen, and perhaps
2 2 2 2
da = dp +sinh p(d6 +sm 6d<p ),2 2 better, from the transformations (4.4). An in-
crease of T in r changes, by (4.32), both J and rj
ifjfe=-l, (4.22) by an amount §7r. The effect of this is to trans-
da2 = dp2+p2(dd2+sin2 6d<p2), if k = 0. (4.23) form X} Finto -1/X, - 1 / F ; and events (X, Y)
13 and (—1/X, —1/F) are identified in the elliptic
H. P. Robertson "On the Foundations of Relativistic
Cosmology," Proc, Nat. Acad. Sci. 15, 822-829 (1929). connectivity, given by Eq. (3.4).
264 L. INFELD AND A. SCHILD
(a) 2
(1-tf)- (a), (*)-(&), («), (n), (e),
i£ = 4 Oscillating s, 2
(* = 1) (b) 1/4/
Ci)-(*),
E (c) 4{(l-a)2+4/2}-1
by transformation
(d) 1 II'
(e) . 1/a2 TT r
(X, K ) - K ( l + X ) / ( 1 - X ) ,
JC=-4 Converging- Mi d+F)/(i-y)).
_a
(*«-l) diverging (/) 4(l+a-20
(g) 4(l-f-a+2/)- 2 (<Z), (J)-(«), («),
(*) (1-a)"2 II' (2>*(r),
52
1/4*2 by inversion
TT/
0") 1/a (t,r)-+(-t/a,r/a).
Mi 2 2 1
(*) 4{(l+a) -4/ }-
(I) 1
M, (a), (h)->(P),
(m) 1/a2 TTT/
The simplest model of Type II' is the Minkow- besides being of type II 7 , is also of type III.
ski universe (y(a) = 1) which we denote by M2. Thus, among the models III, we have a Minkow-
Its metric is given by the pseudo-Euclidean line ski universe Ms with line element
element
ds2=7)ijdxidxJ'. (5.22) ds2 — r\ijdxidxj. (5.31)
The De Sitter line element (5.11), besides The De Sitter line element (5.24) is immedi-
being of type I, is also quite obviously of type ately seen to be a special case of the forms (5.3).
II'. Thus among the models II' we have a Thus we have a third De Sitter universe o 3 of
De Sitter universe, which we denote by S2y and type III and with line element
whose line element is ds2={\/tt2)rHjdxidxK (5.32)
ds2=(l-a)-2r}ijdxidxK (5.23) S3 is sometimes referred to as the "stationary"
Subjecting this form to the transformation (5.21), De Sitter universe.19
we obtain the line element of S2 in the form I I : The Einstein-De Sitter universe ES has, in the
Robertson coordinate system,20 a line element of
ds2=(l/4t2)rjijdxidxK (5.24) type k = 0, where
This is also a special case of the forms (5.1) of R^QT')*. (5.33)
type I, where f(x) = l/4x 2 . Thus (5.24) is an
Using (4.11), a short calculation yields the line
alternative line element of the universe Si.17
element in the c.c.s. I l l :
Finally, we mention a model which we call
Milne's universe and denote by Mi. Its line ds2 = tSijdxldxj. (5.34)
element is
ds2={\/a)y]ijdxidxj. (5.25) This cosmological model has also been proposed
by Dirac.21
In this universe, the motion of free particles It must be emphasized that the two Minkowski
along any geodesic is identical with the motion universes M2 and Ms are quite distinct cos-
of particles in Milne's "kinematical relativity" mological models and differ in their physical
under the influence of the ' 'substratum" 18 ; in behavior; e.g., M2 exhibits a nebular red shift,
particular, the fundamental particles, which form M3 does not. M2 and Ms are characterized by
Milne's substratum, behave like those in all our the same line element (5.22) but by different
models II'. We may add that in Robertson's motions of fundamental particles, i.e., the con-
coordinates Milne's universe has a form analogous verging-diverging motion and rest, respectively.
to Einstein's universe; its line element is (5.12) A corresponding statement holds for the three
but do-2 is now the metric (4,22) of a 3-space of De Sitter universes Si, S2, Ss, which may be
constant curvature k — — 1. described by the same metric form (5.24) and by
Universes of Type III, III'.—It is convenient the three different types of motion of funda-
to use the c.c.s. I l l : mental particles.
We conclude this section with a short examina-
ds2 = y(t)r)ijdxidxJ\ (5.3) tion of stationary universes22 We may define this
In these models the fundamental particles are at term as follows: A universe is stationary if its
rest. line element and the equation of motion of its
The pseudo-Euclidean line element (5.22), fundamental particles are invariant in form
under a coordinate transformation which moves
17
The transformation (5.21) is a special case of (4.81), the / axis into itself and which transforms any
$0=1, and therefore changes any line element of type I into
another of the same type, and also preserves the equation non-singular event on it into any other.
of motion of fundamental particles. A similar statement is
19
easily verified to hold for the inversion (3.7) applied to a Reference 14, Eq. (6.1).
20
line element of type I I ' . Reference 14, Eq. (8.8), where we put /c£ = 12.
18 21
C. Gilbert, "On the Occurrence of Milne's Systems of P. A. M. Dirac, "A New Basis for Cosmology/' Proc.
Particles in General Relativity," Quart. J. Math. 9, 187, Roy. Soc. A165, 199-208 (1938), Eq. (6).
22
Eq. (9) (1938). See also reference 15. Reference 13, p. 824, assumption II'.
268 L. INFELD AND A. SCHILD
It is easily verified that the line elements of the is completely justified by the fact that Maxwell's
universes E, Mi, Mz, are invariant in form under equations have in all cosmological spaces the
the transformations (4.81), (4.82), (4.83), re- same form as in Minkowski space and that
spectively, and are therefore stationary. The line therefore light is propagated exactly as in flat
element of the universe £3 is invariant under space. Appeal is also made to a fundamental
(4.82), which, however, preserves the origin principle of relativity which states that the
(0, 0). But this line element is singular at £ = 0, proper period of vibration (i.e., the period
and thus the definition of stationary cosmologies measured in proper time ds) of an atom emitting
applies to S%. a sharp spectral line is constant, whatever the
The different cosmological forms of the special motion or position of the atom. Consider an
models examined in this section are summarized atom, moving with a fundamental particle
in Table IV. P=(t,r) of radial velocity V, emitting a light
signal at time t and again, after one complete
6. THE NEBULAR RED SHIFT
vibration, at time t+dt. The two light signals
The displacement towards the red of the reach the observer 0 at the spatial origin at
spectral lines of nebulae, which is roughly pro- times to^t+r and to+dt0, respectively, where
portional to their distance from us, is now a well dto = dt(l+ V). This is immediately seen from the
established astronomical phenomenon.8 One of fact that the second light signal is emitted from
the chief advantages of many relativistic models the event (/+dt, r+ Vdt) and reaches 0 at
of our universe is that this nebular red shift time t-\-r+dt(l+V). Remembering the form of
emerges as a natural consequence of their struc- the cosmological line element (3.1), we find that
ture. In this section expressions for the red shift the proper period of vibration of the atom (which
will be obtained in terms of the coordinates of equals the proper wave-length X, since the
the fundamental particles under observation. No velocity of light is 1) is given by
comparison with observational data will be
attempted as the coordinates xl are not immedi- ds = \ = yKt,r)(l-V2)*dt.
ately interpretable in terms of physical time and The proper period of vibration as observed by 0
distance as estimated by the astronomer. Such or
is dso = yo^dt0, >
a comparison involves an examination of the
apparent magnitudes and luminosities of nebulae d$o = Xo = 7o*(l+V)d/, 7o = 7(*o,0).
in the model; the problem is not difficult but is
outside the scope of this report. However, in Thus the ratio of observed to proper wave-length
most cosmological models where the red shift is
not altogether absent (as it is in the Einstein XoA=(Yo/7)*((l+n/(l-W (6.1)
universe) the first-order red shift effect is linear, This expression for the red shift may be ana-
and agreement with observation can be achieved lysed into two independent components, the
by a suitable choice of some of the constants of Doppler effect which contributes the factor
the model, such as 2a (the cosmological unit) or ((1+V)/(1-V))K and the gravitational effect
the present time t0 (which may, for practical which contributes the factor (YO/Y)*-
purposes, be treated as a constant). Thus the red An explicit formula for the red shift will now
shift phenomenon, at least to the first order, js be obtained in each of the three types of universes
not a very effective criterion for narrowing down and the result expressed in terms of the time £0
the large number of possible cosmological models. of observation and the distance r of the funda-
Most restrictions on the models, which are mental particle P, determined at the time t
suitable for describing our universe at large, are when the observed radiation left P.
obtained from the red shift effects of higher Case /.—The velocity V of a fundamental
order and from dynamical considerations which particle is obtained by differentiating the equa-
are outside the domain of pure kinematics. tion of motion, given in Table III.
We base the derivation of the red shift formula
on a practical, corpuscular theory of light. This V=2tr/(t2+r2+l). (6.2)
KINEMATIC COSMOLOGY 269
m
models listed in Table IV. The red shift will be
* /(l-(t0-ry-r*y+4(to-ry given by the usual expression
V , (6.23)
(l-<o 2 ) 2 +4/ 0 2 (6.6)
AX/X=(X 0 -X)/X.
which, after simplification, reduces to the
reciprocal of (6.22). Thus X0/X = 1 in the Einstein It will be expressed in terms of the time to of
universe and there is no red shift. observation and a new distance coordinate f,
The Doppler effect is the same for all universes defined by
of Type I. Writing y = F-yE, where yEVijdx^x3 f = |7o*k, 7o = 7(^o, 0). (6.61)
is the line element of the Einstein universe, we
see, from (6.1), and from the fact that (7^0/7^)* From the line element (4.3) we note that f is the
just cancels the Doppler effect, that proper distance at time t0 and in the immediate
Xo /gy_/ wa-w y 2 2
neighborhood of the spatial origin. Neglecting
second-order corrections, f is actually the dis-
X \F/ \F((to-r)/(l-to
F«torr)/(\-to +2t0r)),+2Ur))/ tance estimated by the astronomer, who always
assumes the rectilinear propagation of light with
In terms of the function / , introduced in Section constant velocity.
1, F is defined by With the formulas (6.3)-(6.5), (6.61), and the
F(x) = ti+x*)f(x), (6.31) functions 7 of Table IV, the calculations are
as is easily verified by Eqs. (5.1) and (5.13). quite straightforward. Therefore no computa-
Case IF.—The fundamental particles now tional details need be given and the first-order
move with constant velocity V—r/t and 7 = 7(a). red shift effects are collected in Table V.
Thus V=r/(t0 — r), and Eq. (6.1) becomes Finally, it is of interest to note that the three
models E, Mi, Ms, are the only universes with
Xo/X = (/o7(^o 2 )/(/o-2r)7(/o 2 -2^))». (6.4) no red shift.
270 L. INFELD AND A. SCHILD
A light signal is, at time th sent by 0 to P who spectively, by (7.8). Thus we obtain the equa-
reflects it, the light signal returning to 0 at time tions of transformation
h. By (7.6) and (7.7), we have
t±r=fie^±^1^. (7.9)
{h-h)/{t2+h)=v. (7.71)
If this transformation is applied to the line
We assume that P is close to 0, i.e., that v is element (7.1), it is seen that the resulting line
small. We denote the short cosmological time element is of the cosmological form only if /J= 1.
element h—h by dt. The constant (t2—h)/(h-\-h)» Thus the constant 13 is determined and (7.9)
or dt/2t, since OP is small, is proportional to a now agrees with (4.6).
constant r-interval dr. Thus Similarly, the transformation leading from the
dr = pdt/t, (7.72) coordinates (f, p) to cosmological coordinates
(i, f), with dimensions, is given by
where /? is a constant. Integrating, we have
i±f = ae^±f)f<x'1 (i±f)/a = t±r; (7.91)
r = piog(t/p), t = Pe*">. (7.8)
if we demand that di — df when f = 0. The con-
The constant of integration has, without loss of stant a which appeared in the line element (7.2)
generality, been chosen such that dr~dt when as the negative radius of curvature of the spatial
r = 0. Regraduating the r-clock in accordance section f = 0, appears now, in the c.c.s., as the
with Eq. (7.8), we obtain a t clock measuring age of the universe on the cosmological time
cosmological time. scale.
By use of the £-cloek the coordinates of an In Case I, parallel considerations show that
event E may be obtained from Eq. (7.6). the transformation equations are
Similarly, the coordinates r, p of E are given by
(«±f)/2a = tan((f±/5)/2a);
(7.92)
Thus 0±f)/2a = /±r.
t2=(t+r)1 r2=(r+p),
(7.81) The radius of curvature a of the spatial section
h=(t-r)t ri = ( r - p ) .
f = 0 appears, in the c.c.s., as one-quarter of the
The times t2, h are connected with r2, rh re- coordinate period of oscillation.