Monday, 3 June 2019

general relativity - Does it make sense to ask how the covariant derivative act on the partial derivative nablamu(partialsigma)? If so, what is the answer?


I want to find out how the covariant derivative acts on terms containing a partial derivative, e.g. μ(kσσlν). But I don't know how to evaluate the terms of the form μ(σ). If one writes μ(kσσlν)=μ(gρσkρσlν)=gρσμ(kρσlν)=gρσ[μ(kρ)σlν+kρμ(σ)lν+kρσμ(lν)]

Problem: How to determine μ(σ). How do I work it out, and understand whatever the answer, that it makes sense? Have I made a mistake?



EDIT: I add the context: suppose ka and la are killing vector. Then I want to prove that the commutator [k,l]α=kσσlαlσσkα 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(kννlμlννkμ)+Γμσκ(kννlκlννkκ)...


and use this for further calculations, or consider that for any torsionless connection, we have [k,l]μ=kννlμlννkμkννlμlννkμ,

and the latter expression contains only terms that are 'covariant'.


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