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Physics[EnergyMomentum] - The EnergyMomentum tensor

Calling Sequence

EnergyMomentum[]

EnergyMomentum[keyword]

Parameters

mu, nu

-

the indices, as names representing integer numbers between 0 and the spacetime dimension, they can also be the numbers themselves

keyword

-

optional, it can be definition, array or matrix, nonzero

Description

• 

The EnergyMomentum[mu, nu], displayed as , is a computational representation for the EnergyMomentum tensor. The components of this tensor are initially set equal to zero. To define these components in any particular way use the Define command passing to it an equation with EnergyMomentum[mu, nu] on the left-hand side and the desired definition, as a symmetric tensorial expression or a symmetric matrix on the right-hand side.

• 

When the metric is set to represent any curved spacetime, the EnergyMomentum tensor is the source of the gravitational field, entering Einstein's equations

  

where  is the Einstein tensor, expressed in terms of the Ricci tensor  as

• 

The EnergyMomentum tensor also satisfies , where  is the covariant derivative operator D_, and this 4D divergence is entered as D_[mu](EnergyMomentum[mu,nu]).

• 

When the indices of EnergyMomentum assume integer values they are expected to be between 0 and the spacetime dimension, prefixed by ~ when they are contravariant, and the corresponding value of EnergyMomentum is returned. The values 0 and 4, or for the case any dimension set for the spacetime, represent the same object. When the indices have symbolic values EnergyMomentum returns unevaluated after normalizing its indices taking into account their symmetry property.

• 

Computations performed with the Physics package commands take into account EnergyMomentum's sum rule for repeated indices - see `.` and Simplify. The distinction between covariant and contravariant indices in the input of tensors is done by prefixing contravariant ones with ~, say as in ~mu; in the output, contravariant indices are displayed as superscripts. For contracted indices, you can enter them one covariant and one contravariant. Note however that - provided that the spacetime metric is galilean (Euclidean or Minkowski), or the object is a tensor also in curvilinear coordinates - this distinction in the input is not relevant, and so contracted indices can be entered as both covariant or both contravariant, in which case they will be automatically rewritten as one covariant and one contravariant. Tensors can have spacetime and space indices at the same time. To change the type of letter used to represent spacetime or space indices see Setup.

• 

Besides being indexed with two indices, EnergyMomentum accepts three keywords:

– 

definition: returns the definition of the EnergyMomentum tensor in terms of the Ricci tensor.

– 

matrix: (synonyms: Matrix, array, Array, or no indices whatsoever, as in EnergyMomentum[]) returns a Matrix that when indexed with numerical values from 1 to the dimension of spacetime returns the value of each of the components of EnergyMomentum. If this keyword is passed together with indices, that can be covariant or contravariant, the resulting matrix takes into account the character of the indices.

– 

nonzero: returns a set of equations, with the left-hand-side as a sequence of two positive numbers identifying the element of  and the corresponding value on the right-hand-side. Note that this set is actually the output of the ArrayElems command when passing to it the Array obtained with the keyword array.

• 

Some automatic checking and normalization are carried out each time you enter EnergyMomentum[...]. The checking is concerned with possible syntax errors. The automatic normalization takes into account the symmetry of EnergyMomentum[mu,nu] with respect to interchanging the positions of the indices mu and nu.

• 

The %EnergyMomentum command is the inert form of EnergyMomentum, so it represents the same mathematical operation but without performing it. To perform the operation, use value.

Examples

(1)

(2)

When Physics is loaded, all the components of  are set equal to 0

(3)

In order to set these components in any particular way use the Define command passing to it an equation with EnergyMomentum[mu, nu] on the left-hand side and the desired definition, as a symmetric tensorial expression or a symmetric matrix, on the right-hand side. For example, the general form of  in terms of the energy density , the flux density  and the stress tensor  of a system can be entered as

(4)

(5)

(6)

You can now set these to be the components of

(7)

After this definition, you can query about the definition, the nonzero components, any particular covariant or contravariant component via

(8)

(9)

In the definition above, all the components of  are constant. To set part or all of them as depending on the coordinates, for instance in a generic coordinate system and using spherical coordinates,

(10)

you can indicate the functionality in the definition. For example, set  to be constant (i.e. no functionality) but the flux density  and stress  tensors depending on

(11)

(12)

Define now  with these components

(13)

To see the continuity equations for the components of , use for instance the inert version of the covariant derivative operator D_ and the TensorArray command

(14)

(15)

(16)

In curved spaces, EnergyMomentum enters Einstein's equations as the source of the gravitational field

(17)

(18)

Take the first of these two equations and compute a tensor array for it

(19)

(20)

This is the expected result for the Schwarzschild metric: in vacuum, the components of the Einstein tensor, and with them those of  are all equal to zero.

Consider now the Tolman metric also in spherical coordinates and the resulting equations for the flux and the stress tensors  and

(21)

(22)

(23)

To use the right-hand sides as definitions for the stress and flux tensors, take for instance the space components of the definition of the EnergyMomentum tensor

(24)

Construct a defining equation for

(25)

(26)

The definition and contravariant components of

(27)

(28)

This definition of  is now also part of the definition of the EnergyMomentum. Note however that in the definition (11) we used , so to avoid having  redo that definition using just :

(29)

(30)

In the same way you can define the components of  and remove the dependency in  used in the definition above to have , , the Einstein and EnergyMomentum tensors all defined consistently with each other.

See Also

ADMEquations, Physics, Physics conventions, Physics examples, Physics Updates, Tensors - a complete guide, Mini-Course Computer Algebra for Physicists, Setup, value

References

  

[1] Landau, L.D., and Lifshitz, E.M. The Classical Theory of Fields, Course of Theoretical Physics Volume 2, fourth revised English edition. Elsevier, 1975.


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