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  • Relativity: Einstein'S Field Equations

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    This document provides an overview of Einstein's field equations, which describe the fundamental structure of general relativity. It outlines four main objectives: 1) Justify the form of the matter tensor and verify its properties for the special case of dust. 2) Describe how the laws of physics are generalized from special to general relativity. 3) Provide a plausibility argument for Einstein's field equations. 4) Summarize the key ideas of general relativity in terms of the field equations, geodesic equations, and equivalence principle.

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    This document provides an overview of Einstein's field equations, which describe the fundamental structure of general relativity. It outlines four main objectives: 1) Justify the form of the matter tensor and verify its properties for the special case of dust. 2) Describe how the laws of physics are generalized from special to general relativity. 3) Provide a plausibility argument for Einstein's field equations. 4) Summarize the key ideas of general relativity in terms of the field equations, geodesic equations, and equivalence principle.

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    6 views4 pages

    Relativity: Einstein'S Field Equations

    Uploaded by

    Epic Win
    This document provides an overview of Einstein's field equations, which describe the fundamental structure of general relativity. It outlines four main objectives: 1) Justify the form of the matter tensor and verify its properties for the special case of dust. 2) Describe how the laws of physics are generalized from special to general relativity. 3) Provide a plausibility argument for Einstein's field equations. 4) Summarize the key ideas of general relativity in terms of the field equations, geodesic equations, and equivalence principle.

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    of 4

    MISN-0-476

    EINSTEINS FIELD EQUATIONS


    EINSTEINS FIELD EQUATIONS by C. P. Frahm

    Relativity
    Project PHYSNET Physics Bldg. Michigan State University East Lansing, MI

    1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

    ID Sheet: MISN-0-476 THIS IS A DEVELOPMENTAL-STAGE PUBLICATION OF PROJECT PHYSNET The goal of our project is to assist a network of educators and scientists in transferring physics from one person to another. We support manuscript processing and distribution, along with communication and information systems. We also work with employers to identify basic scientic skills as well as physics topics that are needed in science and technology. A number of our publications are aimed at assisting users in acquiring such skills. Our publications are designed: (i) to be updated quickly in response to eld tests and new scientic developments; (ii) to be used in both classroom and professional settings; (iii) to show the prerequisite dependencies existing among the various chunks of physics knowledge and skill, as a guide both to mental organization and to use of the materials; and (iv) to be adapted quickly to specic user needs ranging from single-skill instruction to complete custom textbooks. New authors, reviewers and eld testers are welcome. PROJECT STAFF Andrew Schnepp Eugene Kales Peter Signell Webmaster Graphics Project Director

    Title: Einsteins Field Equations Author: C. P. Frahm, Dept. of Physics, Illinois State Univ. Version: 2/1/2000 Length: 2 hr; 8 pages Input Skills: 1. Unknown: assume (MISN-0-475). Output Skills (Knowledge): K1. Justify the form of the matter tensor M for dust and verify its properties: M = M ; M = 0. K2. Describe briey the general manner whereby the laws of physics (other than those dealing with gravitation) are usually generalized from special relativity to general relativity. K3. Give a plausibility argument for Einsteins eld equations. K4. Summarize the fundamental ideas of general relativity in terms of the eld equations, the geodesic equations and the equivalence principle. External Resources (Required): 1. W. Rindler, Essential Relativity, van Nostrand (1977). Evaluation: Stage B0

    ADVISORY COMMITTEE D. Alan Bromley E. Leonard Jossem A. A. Strassenburg Yale University The Ohio State University S. U. N. Y., Stony Brook

    Views expressed in a module are those of the module author(s) and are not necessarily those of other project participants. c 2001, Peter Signell for Project PHYSNET, Physics-Astronomy Bldg., Mich. State Univ., E. Lansing, MI 48824; (517) 355-3784. For our liberal use policies see: http://www.physnet.org/home/modules/license.html.

    MISN-0-476

    MISN-0-476 (Optional) - Read Rindler, bottom of p. 180 to end of chapter 8.

    EINSTEINS FIELD EQUATIONS by C. P. Frahm 1. Introduction


    In the previous unit the eld equations for vacuum were discussed and a solution of those equations was found for the special case of spherically symmetric static mass distribution. This unit is concerned with the form of the eld equations even in the presence of matter. Once the form of these equations has been determined the formal structure of general relativity is complete.

    4. This objective is essentially a review which you are to carry out on your own.

    Acknowledgments
    The author would like to thank Illinois State University for support in the construction of this lesson. Preparation of this module was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, Division of Science Education Development and Research, through Grant #SED 74-20088 to Michigan State University.

    2. Procedure
    1. Read Rindler, section 5.13. The objective is to justify eq. 5.49 of Rindler and then prove eqs. 5.50 and 5.51. Comment - Many authors use the symbol T instead of M and refer to T as the energy-momentum tensor or the stress-energy tensor. Comment - Equation 5.49 is valid only for the very special case of dust (a perfect uid). However, eq. 5.50 and 5.51 are assumed to be valid for an arbitrary medium. 2. Read Rindler, section 8.9. Of particular interest are equations 8.120, 8.121, 8.122 and 8.129. Exercise - Propose a generalization consistent with the scheme proposed by Rindler,for extending Maxwells equations and the Lorentz force law to general relativity. Hint: Consult pages 6 and 8 of MISN0-470. Also recall the last exercise on p. 3 of unit MISN-0-473. 3. Read Rindler unit 8.10 to the bottom of p. 180. Exercise - It can be shown (but you need not do it) that the curvature tensor satises Bianchis identities.
    R, + R, + R, = 0

    Use these identities to verify equation 8.134 in Rindler. Note - The coecient k in Einsteins eld equations (Rindlers eq. 8.136) is at this point completely undetermined. In the next unit it will be shown to be related to Newtons gravitational constant G.
    5 6

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