I want to find out how the covariant derivative acts on terms containing a partial derivative, e.g. ∇μ(kσ∂σlν). But I don't know how to evaluate the terms of the form ∇μ(∂σ). If one writes ∇μ(kσ∂σlν)=∇μ(gρσkρ∂σlν)=gρσ∇μ(kρ∂σlν)=gρσ[∇μ(kρ)∂σlν+kρ∇μ(∂σ)lν+kρ∂σ∇μ(lν)]
EDIT: I add the context: suppose ka and la are killing vector. Then I want to prove that the commutator [k,l]α=kσ∂σlα−lσ∂σkα is a Killing vector. If you write out ∇(μ[k,l]ν), then you find these terms immediately.
Answer
If you want to use this for commutators, then either consider
∇σ([k,l]μ)=∂σ[k,l]μ+Γμσκ[k,l]κ=∂σ(kν∂νlμ−lν∂νkμ)+Γμσκ(kν∂νlκ−lν∂νkκ)...
and use this for further calculations, or consider that for any torsionless connection, we have [k,l]μ=kν∂νlμ−lν∂νkμ≡kν∇νlμ−lν∇νkμ,
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