Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2012 iii Paper 14 5 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
The divergence of a Riemannian vector field is the trace of the covariant derivative map :It is characterized by in the oriented case. The metric-dual vector field is defined by for every , using the musical isomorphism.
On a compact oriented manifold without boundary, the permitted exactness assertion and Stokes theorem imply for every smooth vector field . For a smooth function , the product rule givesSince , the formal-adjoint identity yieldsThis holds for all ; taking proves the pointwise formulaIt agrees with , since and .
The Bochner formula for one-forms, with the positive Hodge Laplacian, isHere acts on one-forms. The covariant derivative is a section of , and its formal-adjoint composition, the rough Laplacian, isThis expression is independent of the local orthonormal frame. The Ricci term is the zero-order bundle endomorphism specified byThus the identity separates the differential energy of the form from the curvature contribution; the sign of the Ricci term matches positive sectional curvature on the sphere.
Let be a harmonic one-form on a compact connected manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature. Pair the formula with and integrate:Both integrands are nonnegative and continuous, so each vanishes everywhere. In particular , proving that harmonic one-forms are parallel under nonnegative Ricci curvature. This integration uses the Riemannian volume density and formal adjoints, so orientation is not necessary for the final conclusion.
Fix . The evaluation mapis injective: a parallel form with zero value at stays zero under parallel transport along every path, and connectedness makes every point reachable from . ThereforeThis is the dimension bound for harmonic one-forms under nonnegative Ricci curvature. The bound is sharp: on a flat -torus the constant coordinate one-forms are parallel and harmonic. If Ricci curvature is positive definite at even one point, the same integral and parallelism argument force every harmonic one-form to vanish.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2012 iii Paper 56 1 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
A covariant derivative on the tangent bundle is an affine connection: it assigns a vector field to vector fields , is linear over smooth functions in , is real-linear in , and obeys the Leibniz rule . Thus it differentiates a vector field while taking account of how its local basis changes. It extends to tensor fields by the Leibniz rule, compatibility with tensor contraction, and for a scalar.
In a local basis , the connection components are defined by . In a coordinate basis, , soA covariant derivative of a tensor field has tensorial transformation properties, but the connection components themselves do not: changing the coordinate basis introduces second derivatives of the coordinate change. They describe the connection in a chosen basis, rather than components of a tensor.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 iii Paper 49 3 a ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
Adopt the printed Riemann curvature tensor convention and contract . At an arbitrary point choose normal coordinates for the original metric tensor. There the original connection coefficients vanish. Varying the coordinate curvature formula leavesAt that point these partial derivatives equal the covariant derivatives of the tensor . Both sides are tensors, so the result is valid in every coordinate system:Contracting its first and third indices proves the Palatini identityThe normal-coordinate argument is applied independently at every point; it does not assume a flat background or set derivatives of the original connection to zero.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 iii Paper 49 3 a i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
Write and . The difference between two affine connections is a tensor, so its infinitesimal change is a type tensor field. Both affine connections are torsion-free, giving . Varying metric compatibility givesLower the first index of . Add the versions with derivatives and subtract the one with derivative ; the lower-slot symmetry cancels the unwanted terms, leavingThereforeAll covariant derivatives use the original Levi-Civita connection. The PDF has as its second term; the converted TeX's is a transcription error.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2014 iii Paper 15 4 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
A Levi-Civita connection on a Riemannian manifold is a covariant derivative that is a torsion-free connection, , and a metric connection, . A covariant derivative is -linear in , real linear in , and obeys .
Combining metric compatibility for the cyclic triples and eliminating reversed derivatives with the torsion identity gives the Koszul formulaSince is nondegenerate, this determines uniquely. For existence, use the right-hand side to define : expansion of the Lie bracket of vector fields shows it is -linear in , hence defines a smooth one-form, which the musical isomorphism converts to a smooth vector field. The same expansion shows and . Subtracting the formula with exchanged gives torsion zero; adding its versions for exchanged gives metric compatibility. Thus it is a Levi-Civita connection. Equivalently its coefficients in a manifold chart are the Christoffel symbolsThe intrinsically defined Koszul formula ensures these local expressions fit together. This proves the fundamental theorem of Riemannian geometry.
The product Riemannian metric on isThe two factor tangent spaces are orthogonal, and the sum is positive definite. Lift from and from . We check against lifted local frame fields from both factors, which together span each product tangent space.
If is lifted from , then , while depends only on , so . Also and is horizontal, hence orthogonal to . Every term in the Koszul formula is zero. If is lifted from , and depends only on , so . Now and is vertical, hence orthogonal to . Again every term is zero. Thus is orthogonal to both spanning frame families, and positive definiteness yieldsThis calculation uses the lifts' independence of the other factor coordinates; a vector field with varying coefficients in those coordinates can have a nonzero mixed derivative.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 10 4 5 Solution 2026-10-06
Global regularity for one-dimensional wave maps holds for arbitrary smooth localized compatible data. In retarded and advanced null coordinates , , the wave map equation says , with the target covariant derivative. Hence depends only on , and only on . Initial derivative bounds persist. Compactness of the sphere and differentiated energy estimates then prevent finite-time loss of smoothness.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 52 1 b ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Use the standard meaning of static spacetime: a stationary spacetime chart whose time-space components also vanish. The printed static definition needs to inherit the timelike requirement ; without it, the requested timelike conclusion does not follow.
The preceding argument shows that is a timelike Killing vector field. Its metric-dual one-form is . Its exterior derivative satisfiesFor a torsion-free connection, antisymmetrizing the covariant derivative of a one-form gives its exterior derivative. Consequently the Killing vector has hypersurface orthogonality:Geometrically, the hypersurfaces are orthogonal to .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 52 2 b iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
For the minimally coupled scalar field, keep the metric tensor fixed and vary . A scalar's first covariant derivative equals its ordinary derivative, soApply integration by parts for tensor fields. The boundary contribution is proportional to and vanishes under the given boundary condition, leavingThe interior variation is arbitrary. Thus the scalar equation of motion isHere the d'Alembert operator contains the Levi-Civita connection in the second covariant derivative, even though the first derivative of the scalar field is ordinary.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 52 3 ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
On the other hand, metric compatibility givesUsing the Christoffel trace identity in the last term yieldsSince the volume density never vanishes in a valid chart, the harmonic coordinate conditions are equivalent:
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 54 2 a ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
For an affinely parametrized null geodesic congruence, put . Differentiating along a ray and commuting covariant derivatives givesusing . The geodesic acceleration term vanishes. Since is null and affine, and . Its trace is therefore the screen trace , and the trace of its square equals that of the optical tensor squared. Taking the trace, with , yieldsNow decompose the optical tensor into null expansion, null shear and null twist. The symmetric trace-free part is orthogonal to the trace and to the antisymmetric part, while . HenceSubstitution proves the Null Raychaudhuri equation:The squares use the positive-definite screen metric. Thus null shear contributes to focusing, whereas nonzero null twist has the opposite sign.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 54 2 a i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
A null geodesic congruence is a smooth family of null geodesics filling a region without intersections there, with one tangent direction assigned smoothly at every point. Choose an affine parameter and tangent , so and . Choose a second null vector with . The screen-space projector isIt annihilates and restricts to a positive-definite metric on the two-dimensional transverse screen. Project the covariant derivative of the tangent to obtain the optical tensorIts decomposition defines the three optical quantities:The null expansion is the fractional rate of change of a transverse area, . The null shear changes a beam's shape without changing its area to first order. The null twist is its antisymmetric transverse deformation. The factor uses four spacetime dimensions.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 309 2 i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Let be an affine parameter and the tangent to the geodesic. Since , the product rule for the covariant derivative givesIndependence of the coordinate basis vectors yields the coordinate geodesic equationThe affine parameter condition matters: an arbitrary reparametrization instead allows a multiple of the tangent on the right, as in the unparametrized geodesic equation.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 309 4 iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Put and write , where , and . Physical fields are the real parts. Use here, and take the initial separation at equal time, so . For propagation in the positive direction one may set ; only enters the answer.
The linearized Levi-Civita connection in this transverse-traceless gauge has the potentially nonzero componentswith all others zero to this order. In particular , so a particle initially at rest has fixed spatial coordinates in transverse-traceless gauge, and equals its proper time. Expanding the Riemann curvature tensor givesThe plus sign in the last expression agrees with in the geodesic deviation convention above.
For the separation measured in a parallel-propagated orthonormal frame, write . The frame removes the connection terms from the time derivative, so the geodesic deviation equation reduces to at first order. The observable transverse relative acceleration isThese are the plus polarization and cross polarization tidal patterns; there is no longitudinal acceleration. The curvature is evaluated along the reference worldline, and replacing by on the right changes only second-order terms. This is the infinitesimal-separation approximation intrinsic to geodesic deviation.
There is an important component distinction if the symbols are instead interpreted literally in the transverse-traceless gauge coordinate basis. Expanding the left side, rather than replacing a covariant derivative by an ordinary derivative, givesThus in TT coordinatesWith zero initial coordinate displacement and velocity, throughout. This does not remove the physical gravitational wave strain. To first order an orthonormal coframe in spacetime along the reference worldline is ; its dual frame is parallel propagated because . Henceafter choosing the initial flat-frame reference. The TT coordinate separation and measured separation distinction accounts exactly for the apparently different accelerations. In a region initially free of the wave, the measured displacement is with the corresponding initial conditions.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 309 4 i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Use as an affine parameter on each member of the geodesic variation, so . The parameter directions commute, giving along the variation. The torsion-free connection then givesConsequently the covariant derivative and curvature definition giveThis is the geodesic-deviation equation with the stated curvature sign:The component expression defines the slot order: is the vector acted on, and are the two derivative directions of the Riemann curvature tensor. Both the commuting parameter directions and affine parametrization are essential; a general connecting vector field or a nonaffine parameter would add terms.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 311 2 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Locally write a smooth hypersurface as with . It is a null hypersurface when on it. Then is both normal and tangent, and the induced metric is degenerate along .
Because covariant derivatives commute on a scalar,The scalar vanishes on the hypersurface, so its derivative annihilates every tangent direction there. Its derivative is consequently proportional to : locally for a smooth function , givingThus the normal generates null pregeodesics. Rescale , choosing , to get . These are the affinely parametrized generators of the null hypersurface. The proportionality need not vanish: setting only on the hypersurface does not set its full transverse derivative to zero.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 312 1 a i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Write for the spatial metric tensor and lower the shift vector with . For the negative-shift convention, the four-dimensional metric and its inverse have componentsThe normal has covariant components , so and it annihilates every tangent vector to the spatial slice. Since , its covariant derivative gives and therefore .
Compute the required Christoffel symbol using the symmetric connection formula. Its time-index term and spatial-index term combine to giveThe spatial expression in parentheses is , where is the covariant derivative of . Thus the extrinsic curvature with a negative shift isThis derivation fixes both signs from the actual 3+1 decomposition of spacetime, rather than transferring a formula using the opposite shift vector convention. The connection formula used here has as its second differentiated term; the printed repeated-index version is a typographical error.