Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2020/ii/paper-1/38d/iii/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2020 ii Paper 1 38D iii Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-29
First differentiate the unit normalization . Metric compatibility givesThe timelike geodesic vector field equation gives the other contraction,For the spatial projector of a timelike congruence,and symmetry also gives . Thus
Splitting the deformation tensor of a timelike geodesic congruence into symmetric and antisymmetric parts and substituting the definitions givesMoreover, the orthogonality of implieswhile in four dimensionsIt follows thatHencewhich is the kinematic decomposition of a timelike geodesic congruence.
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