Prof J.J.

Binney 4th year: Theory Option

Classical Fields II
1. Show that the affine distance
r
b
dx0 µ dx0 ν 
Z
s≡ gµν  dλ.

a dλ dλ
τ
is extremal along curves x that satisfy
µ κ α
d2 x0 0
0µ dx dx
0
+ Γκα = 0.
ds2 ds ds

2. Prove that A0µ;ν − A0ν;µ = A0µ ,ν −A0ν ,µ .

3. Show that Γµµν = 21 g µρ ∂ν gρµ . Show also that for any infinitesimal change δA in a
matrix A we have δ ln(det A) = Tr(A−1 δA). Hence show that
√
Γµµν = ∂ν ln( g, ) (†)
where g ≡ | det g|.
4. For a weak gravitational field we write gµν = ηµν + hµν , where all components of
h are small. Show that under an infinitesimal coordinate change x → x0 = x + ξ, to
first order in small quantities we have
hµν → h0µν = hµν − ∂µ ξν − ∂ν ξµ .
Explain by analogy with electromagnetism why this can be considered a gauge trans-
fomation.
5. Show that under a gauge transformation x → x0 = x + ξ, the Christoffel symbol
transforms as
∂x0λ ∂xτ ∂xσ ρ ∂xρ ∂xσ ∂ 2 x0λ
Γ0λ
µν = Γ − .
∂xρ ∂x0µ ∂x0ν τ σ ∂x0ν ∂x0µ ∂xρ xσ
Hence show that we can always choose a gauge in which the harmonic gauge condition
Γλ ≡ g µν Γλµν = 0
is satisfied.
Use the result (†) above to show that the harmonic gauge condition can be writen
√
0 = ∂κ ( g g λκ ) .
Hence show that when the harmonic gauge condition holds, the covariant d’Alembertian
2φ ≡ ∇κ (g κλ ∇λ φ)
is simply
∂2φ
2φ = g λκ .
∂xλ ∂xκ
Thus when the harmonic gauge condition is satisfied, each coordinate is a harmonic
function: 2xα = 0.
 Classical Fields II 2

6. Show that
gλσ ∂κ g σρ = −g σρ Γηκλ gησ + Γηκσ gηλ .

Hence, or otherwise, show that the curvature tensor can be written

∂ 2 gλν ∂ 2 gµν ∂ 2 gλκ ∂ 2 gµκ

 
1
+ gησ Γηνλ Γσµκ − Γηκλ Γσµν .


Rλµνκ = 2 − − +
∂xκ ∂xµ ∂xκ ∂xλ ∂xν ∂xµ ∂xν ∂xλ

Deduce that Rλµνκ + Rλκµν + Rλνκµ = 0. Hence show that Rλµνκ has 20 independent
indices.

7. Show that for a weak field (g = η + h), to first order in h the Ricci tensor is

Rαβ = 12 ∂β ∂α h − 12 ∂ ν (∂β hνα + ∂α hνβ − ∂ν hαβ ),

where h = hα
α . Show further that to first order the harmonic gauge condition reads

0 = 2∂ µ hλµ − ∂λ h.

Hence show that, in the harmonic gauge and to first order, Einstein’s equations, Rαβ −
1 4
2 Rgαβ = −(8πG/c )Tαβ , read

16πG
2hαβ = − Tαβ , (‡)
c4

where hαβ = hαβ − 12 hηαβ .

Write down an analogous equation of electromagnetism and explain the physical
significance of this result.

8. Use equation (‡) above to show that in harmonic coordinates the metric associated
with a weak gravitational field that is caused by a static distribution of rest-mass takes
the form  Φ  Φ
ds2 = − 1 + 2 2 c2 dt2 + 1 − 2 2 (dx2 + dy 2 + dz 2 ),
c c
where Φ should be related to T00 .