Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2004/iii/paper-58/6/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2004 iii Paper 58 6 Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
Let be the constant diagonal metric matrix in a local pseudo-orthonormal frame, and define . The metric compatibility of the Levi-Civita connection givesThus the lowered connection matrix is antisymmetric, including in indefinite signature. Ordinary matrix antisymmetry of itself is not the corresponding assertion in indefinite signature.
Let be the dual coframe, and write a vector field as . ThenSubtract the same expression with exchanged and subtract . By the definition of the exterior derivative, this gives the components of the torsion tensor:The Levi-Civita connection is torsion-free, so Cartan's first structure equation is
Use and define its matrix of curvature two-forms by . Applying two covariant derivatives to yieldsThe first three terms are and the last two are . Therefore Cartan's second structure equation isThe associated Riemann curvature tensor components satisfy with this convention.
For a position-dependent change of pseudo-orthonormal frame, write the frame row as , with . The dual coframe obeys . Applying the Leibniz rule to givesThe connection one-form has an inhomogeneous term because differentiating the moving basis produces . The curvature two-form instead transforms homogeneously. Indeed, curvature is tensorial in the vector to which it is applied, so . ConsequentlyEquivalently, substituting the transformed connection into and using cancels all derivative terms and gives the same result. This transformation law holds for a general invertible frame change as well; the orthogonality condition ensures both frames remain pseudo-orthonormal.
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