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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.
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'.
The Einstein field equations (EFE) may be written in the form: [5] [1] + = EFE on the wall of the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden, Netherlands. where is the Einstein tensor, is the metric tensor, is the stress–energy tensor, is the cosmological constant and is the Einstein gravitational constant.
In mathematics, metric may refer to one of two related, but distinct concepts: A function which measures distance between two points in a metric space A metric tensor , in differential geometry, which allows defining lengths of curves, angles, and distances in a manifold
The Minkowski metric η is the metric tensor of Minkowski space. It is a pseudo-Euclidean metric, or more generally, a constant pseudo-Riemannian metric in Cartesian coordinates. As such, it is a nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form, a type (0, 2) tensor.
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 (0,0) tensor is a number in the field . A (1,0) tensor is a vector. A (0,1) tensor is a covector. A (0,2) tensor is a bilinear form. An example is the metric tensor . A (1,1) tensor is a linear map.