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Metric Tensor

The metric tensor is a fundamental concept in general relativity that describes the geometry of spacetime. It is a symmetric tensor that assigns a scalar value to coordinate pairs, with its components depending on the choice of coordinates and defining the local geometry. The metric tensor encapsulates the curvature of spacetime caused by gravity rather than a force, and plays a key role in both defining distances between events and relating spacetime curvature to the stress-energy tensor via the Einstein field equations.

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Pietr Wielki
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94 views

Metric Tensor

The metric tensor is a fundamental concept in general relativity that describes the geometry of spacetime. It is a symmetric tensor that assigns a scalar value to coordinate pairs, with its components depending on the choice of coordinates and defining the local geometry. The metric tensor encapsulates the curvature of spacetime caused by gravity rather than a force, and plays a key role in both defining distances between events and relating spacetime curvature to the stress-energy tensor via the Einstein field equations.

Uploaded by

Pietr Wielki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The metric tensor is a fundamental concept in differential geometry and plays a

crucial role in the formulation of the theory of general relativity. It is a


mathematical object that describes the geometry of spacetime. Here's an overview:

Definition:
The metric tensor, often denoted as

g
μν

, is a symmetric tensor of rank 2 that assigns a scalar (number) to each pair of


indices in a coordinate system. In a four-dimensional spacetime with coordinates
(

)
(t,x,y,z), the metric tensor can be written as:

g_{00} & g_{01} & g_{02} & g_{03} \\


g_{10} & g_{11} & g_{12} & g_{13} \\
g_{20} & g_{21} & g_{22} & g_{23} \\
g_{30} & g_{31} & g_{32} & g_{33} \\
\end{bmatrix}
The values of the components

g
μν

depend on the choice of coordinates and define the local geometry of the
spacetime.

Role in General Relativity:


In general relativity, the metric tensor is a central concept. The gravitational
field is not described by a force, as in Newtonian gravity, but by the curvature of
spacetime. The metric tensor encapsulates this curvature information. The metric
tensor, along with its inverse

g
μν
, is used to raise and lower indices in tensor equations.

The line element in general relativity, which expresses the infinitesimal distance
between two events in spacetime, is given by:

2
=
ds
2
=g
μν

dx
μ
dx
ν

The Einstein field equations relate the curvature of spacetime to the energy and
momentum of matter and radiation, and the metric tensor plays a key role in these
equations.

Physical Interpretation:
The components of the metric tensor provide information about the structure of
spacetime. In a flat, uncurved spacetime (as described by special relativity), the
metric tensor reduces to the Minkowski metric. In curved spacetime, the components
of the metric tensor encode how distances and angles are measured, reflecting the
gravitational effects caused by the distribution of matter and energy.

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