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The metric tensor is an example of a tensor field. The components of a metric tensor in a coordinate basis take on the form of a symmetric matrix whose entries transform covariantly under changes to the coordinate system. Thus a metric tensor is a covariant symmetric tensor.
In general relativity, the metric tensor (in this context often abbreviated to simply the metric) is the fundamental object of study.The metric captures all the geometric and causal structure of spacetime, being used to define notions such as time, distance, volume, curvature, angle, and separation of the future and the past.
Download as PDF; Printable version; In other projects Wikidata item; ... Pages in category "Metric tensors" The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 16 total.
The metric tensor is a central object in general relativity that describes the local geometry of spacetime (as a result of solving the Einstein field equations). Using the weak-field approximation, the metric tensor can also be thought of as representing the 'gravitational potential'. The metric tensor is often just called 'the metric'.
In mathematics, the signature (v, p, r) [clarification needed] of a metric tensor g (or equivalently, a real quadratic form thought of as a real symmetric bilinear form on a finite-dimensional vector space) is the number (counted with multiplicity) of positive, negative and zero eigenvalues of the real symmetric matrix g ab of the metric tensor with respect to a basis.
[a] [1] [2] [3] It is also the modern name for what used to be called the absolute differential calculus (the foundation of tensor calculus), tensor calculus or tensor analysis developed by Gregorio Ricci-Curbastro in 1887–1896, and subsequently popularized in a paper written with his pupil Tullio Levi-Civita in 1900. [4]
Vector and tensor calculus in general curvilinear coordinates is used in tensor analysis on four-dimensional curvilinear manifolds in general relativity, [8] in the mechanics of curved shells, [6] in examining the invariance properties of Maxwell's equations which has been of interest in metamaterials [9] [10] and in many other fields.
For example, the meaning of "r" is physical distance in that classical law, and merely a coordinate in General Relativity.] The Schwarzschild metric can also be derived using the known physics for a circular orbit and a temporarily stationary point mass. [1] Start with the metric with coefficients that are unknown coefficients of :