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Tensor[Christoffel] - find the Christoffel symbols of the first or second kind for a metric tensor
Calling Sequences
Christoffel(g, h, keyword)
Parameters
g - a metric tensor on the tangent bundle of a manifold
h - (optional) the inverse of the metric g
keyword - (optional) a keyword string, either "FirstKind" or "SecondKind"
Description
The Christoffel symbol of the second kind for a metric g is the unique torsion-free connection C such that the associated covariant derivative operator nabla satisfies nabla(g) = 0.
The Christoffel symbol of the first kind is the non-tensorial quantity obtained from the Christoffel symbol of the second kind by lowering its upper index with the metric g.
The default value for the keyword is "SecondKind" , that is, the calling sequence Christoffel(g) computes the Christoffel symbol of the second kind.
The inverse of the metric g can be computed using InverseMetric.
This command is part of the DifferentialGeometry:-Tensor package, and so can be used in the form Christoffel(...) only after executing the command with(DifferentialGeometry) and with(Tensor) in that order. It can always be used in the long form DifferentialGeometry:-Tensor:-Christoffel.
Examples
Example 1.
First create a 2 dimensional manifold M and define a metric on the tangent space of M.
Calculate the Christoffel symbols of the first and second kind for g1.
Example 2.
Define a frame on M and use this frame to calculate the Christoffel symbols for a metric on the tangent space of M.
See Also
DifferentialGeometry, Tensor, CovariantDerivative, Physics[D_], CurvatureTensor, Physics[Riemann], DirectionalCovariantDerivative, GeodesicEquations, ParallelTransportEquations, TorsionTensor
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