a) Identify two Killing vectors for the Schwarzschild metric.

b) Construct three conserved

quantities along any geodesic, what is the interpretation of these conserved quantities? c)
Use the conserved quantities to obtain an equation for ur = dr/dτ which reads
 2
1 dr
ϵ= + Vef f (r)
2 dτ

where ϵ is a constant and Veff is the effective potential. Determine ϵ and Veff .
Solution:

2.7 7.) Particle orbits in SZ geometry

Prompt: Problem 7. (Problem 9.5 in Hartle) Sketch the qualitative behaviour of a
particle orbit that comes in from infinity with a value of E exactly equal to the maximum
of the effective potential, Veff . How does the picture change of the value of E is a little
bit larger than the maximum or a little bit smaller? Problem 8. (Problem 9.6 in Hartle)
An observer falls radially inward toward a black hole of mass M whose exterior geometry
is the Schwarzschild geometry, starting with a zero kinetic energy at infinity. How much
time does it take, as measured on the observer’s clock, to pass between 6M and 2M.
Solution:

13
3 Exercise Set 3 - Schwarschild, geodesics, Eddington-
Finkelstein
3.1 1.) Light in SZ metric
Prompt: Problem 1. (Problem 9.6 in Hartle) An observer falls radially inward toward
a black hole of mass M whose exterior geometry is the Schwarzschild geometry, starting
with a zero kinetic energy at infinity. How much time does it take, as measured on the
observer’s clock, to pass between 6M and 2M.
Solution: In Schwarzschild geometry/metric/line element, the geodesic of a null (particle)
is (a photon/light):
1 1 dr
2
= 2· + Wef f
b e dλ
Note that we have to use λ and not τ , because the propertime felt by light is 0, or timelike
geodesics are dτ = ds = 0 for light Prove the above equation!
We know in Schwarzschild geometry
2M
f (r) = 1 −
r
Let,
π
θ=
2
Use Killing vectors in Schwarzschild geometry

ξtµ = (−1, 0, 0, 0)

ξϕµ = (0, 0, 0, 1)
... ... ... From the solutions of the Schwarzschild geometry

E = gµν ξtµ uν (λ)

dt
E = f (r) = f (r)ṫ
dλ
and
l = r2 ϕ̇
Now, use the knowledge of null geodesics

ds2 = 0

Substitute
gµν ξtµ uµ uν
... ... ...
ṙ2
−f (r)ṫ2 + + r2 ϕ2
f (r)
Substitute ṫ and ϕ̇ with expressions of E and l
... ... ...
Solve for ṙ
... ... ...

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Let b = l/E
...
So,
1 dr 2 1 2M 1
2
( ) + 2 (1 − )= 2
e dλ r r b
1 1 dr
2
= 2 ( )2 + Wef f
b e dλ

3.2 2.) Geodesic of light in SZ geometry

Prompt: Problem 2. Following the steps outlined above find the a geodesic for a massless
particle in the Schwarzschild geometry. Express your answer in terms of an effective
potential as follows 1 1 = 2 2 b ‘
dr dλ 2 + Weff , where b = ‘/e is the impact parameter and Weff is the effective potential
experienced by massless particles.
Solution: A timelike case
Start with,
1 2 E2 − 1
ṙ + Vef f = ϵ =
2 2
2 2
E2 − 1
 
1 2 M l Ml
ṙ + − + 2 − 3 =ϵ=
2 r 2r r 2
Consider circular stable orbits
dr
ṙ = =0
dt
d2 r
r̈ = 2 = 0
dt
... some how... get
Vef f = 0
l2 M l2
 
M
− + 2− 3 =0
r 2r r
So,
l2 M l2
 
3 M
−r − + 2 − 3 = −r3 · 0
r 2r r
M r2 − l2 r + 3M l2 = 0
√
−b± b2 −4ac
This is a quadratic equation, use the quadratic formula x = 2a
, and solve to get
r
l2 12M 2
r+− = (1 + − 1 − 2 )
2M l
R− is the unstable inner circular orbit, so use the R+ solution
r
l2 12M 2
r+ = (1 + 1 − 2 )
2M l
Solve for the minimum r; this occurs when the square root term is 0.
r
12M 2
1− 2 )=0
l

15
 12M 2
1− )=0
l2
12M 2
)=1
l2
√
l = 12M
Plug this back into the r+ equation
s
2
12M 12M 2
r+ = (1 + 1− )
2M (12M 2 )
√
r+ = 6M (1 + 1 − 1)
r+ = 6M
′
For null geodesics (light rays), Wef f = 0, so

−2r + 6M = 0

rmin = 3M

3.3 3.) Innermost orbits

Prompt: Problem 3. Find the innermost stable circular orbit for massive particles and
the innermost unstable orbit of massless ones.
Solution: Start with the two:
l
b=
E
b = r · sinϕ
Before the comet starts to interact with the mass, it is said that r → ∞

b=r·ϕ
b
ϕ=
r
Take the derivative
dϕ b
=− 2
dr r
dϕ dϕ dλ b
= =− 2
dr dλ dr r
Memorize that in SC geometry the two:
l
ϕ̇ =
r2
l2 M l2 E2 − 1
 
1 2 1 2 M
ṙ + Vef f = ṙ + − + 2 − 3 =ϵ=
2 2 r 2r r 2
??? ??? ???
ṙ2 = 2ϵ
√
ṙ = 2ϵ

16
??? ??? ???
l
b= √
2ϵ
so, √
l = b 2ϵ
Now consider the point of closest approach, call this point at a distance R from the mass.
At this point the movement is tangential to the direct of the mass, so
ṙ|R = 0
???
Vef f |R = ϵ
or
Vef f (r = R) = ϵ
Now consider the 4-velocity at the point R,
µ
Uconstant |R = (t, 0, 0, ϕ)
??? ??? ???
µ E l
Uconstant |R = ( 2M
), 0, 0, 2 )
1− r R
We want the 4-velocity from the perspective of a stationary observer
µ
Uobserver |R = (U t , 0, 0, 0)
??? ??? ??? ”by manipulation”
Uobs · Uobs = −1
2M
−(U0t )2 · (1 − ) = −1
R
1
Uobserver |R = ( q , 0, 0, 0)
2M
1− R
The observer is at rest; the comet isn’t. Use a Lorentz transformation!
Λµν ·µconstant = Uobserver
µ

1
γ=√
1 − v2
??? ??? ???
µ ν
−γ = gµν Uobserver · Uconstant
  !
 
2M  1 E
−γ = − 1 − 
1 − 2M
q
R 1− R 2M
R
 
1 ( E )
−γ = −(1)  q
1 − 2M (1)
R
 
E
γ = q 
2M
1− R

17