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Tensors Assignment

This document outlines 5 problems related to tensor algebra and tensor calculus in different coordinate systems. The problems involve calculating metric tensors, Christoffel symbols, covariant derivatives of vectors and tensors, and implementing these calculations in Mathematica. Specifically, it asks the reader to: 1) Calculate metric tensors and Christoffel symbols for spherical polar coordinates. 2) Derive Christoffel symbols for a 2D Riemann space using Euler-Lagrange equations. 3) Show that the covariant derivative of a covariant vector involves subtracting the product of the Christoffel symbol and vector. 4) Derive an expression for the divergence of a vector field in terms of the metric tensor and covariant

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abhisheks5987
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141 views

Tensors Assignment

This document outlines 5 problems related to tensor algebra and tensor calculus in different coordinate systems. The problems involve calculating metric tensors, Christoffel symbols, covariant derivatives of vectors and tensors, and implementing these calculations in Mathematica. Specifically, it asks the reader to: 1) Calculate metric tensors and Christoffel symbols for spherical polar coordinates. 2) Derive Christoffel symbols for a 2D Riemann space using Euler-Lagrange equations. 3) Show that the covariant derivative of a covariant vector involves subtracting the product of the Christoffel symbol and vector. 4) Derive an expression for the divergence of a vector field in terms of the metric tensor and covariant

Uploaded by

abhisheks5987
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tensor Algebra and Tensor Calculus

Ganesh Tamadapu
AM 5620: Theory of Plated and Shells
April 7, 2019

Problem 1.
Calculate the metric tensor and Christoffel symbols for the spherical polar coordinate system
defined by
x1 = u1 sin u2 cos u3 , x2 = u1 sin u2 sin u3 , x3 = u1 cos u2
where (u1 , u2 , u3 ) is the usual (r, θ, φ). Also show that covariant derivative of metric tensor
is zero.

Problem 2. Given the line element in a 2D Riemann space with coordinate (x1 , x2 ) as

ds2 = {dx1 }2 + G(x1 , x2 ){dx2 }2

Then one can find the Christoffel symbols by constructing a Lagrangian assuming (x1 , x2 )
as generalized coordinates
Z t1
 1 2
{ẋ } + G(x1 , x2 ){ẋ2 }2 dt

L=
t0

Use Euler-Lagrange equations


 
d ∂L ∂L
− = 0 i = 1, 2
dt ∂ ẋi ∂xi

and compare these two equations with

ẍi + Γijk ẋj ẋk = 0, i, j, k = 1, 2


two find the non-zero Christoffel symbols. This is due to the concept of geodesics in Riemann
space. This approach always is much easier than direct calculations using metric tensor.
Using above mentioned approach calculate the Christoffel symbols for the
cylindrical and sphercal coordinate systems.

Problem 3.
Show that the covariant derivative of a covariant vector is

∇j Ai = Ai,j − Γilj Al

1
Problem 4.
Show that the divergence of a vector field Ai is
1 ∂ √ i
∇i Ai = g ij ∇i Aj = √ gA
g ∂xi

Problem 5.
Evaluate ∇i Aj and ∇k σ ij in cylindrical and spherical coordinates by hand. Write a general
mathematica code to obtain the grad, div, Lapalcian of any given first and second order
tensors in a given coordinate system.

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