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Take the frame dual to the left-invariant coframe of the translation-dilation group. It isIndeed ${\lambda }^i(L_j)={\delta }_j^i$. These are left-invariant vector fields, either because they are dual to invariant forms or because $L_j(g)=(d{L}_g{)}_e{X}_j$. For instance, the curve $g\exp (t{X}_0)$ differentiates to $\rho {\partial }_{\rho }$, while $g\exp (t{X}_1)$ differentiates to $\rho {\partial }_{x^1}$.

The coordinate Lie brackets satisfyFor the first identity only the derivative of the coefficient $\rho$ contributes. The linear map $\boxed{X_j⟼L_j}$ is a Lie algebra isomorphism: it preserves all basis brackets, is injective by independence of the frame, and is onto the three-dimensional space of left-invariant vector fields.

Acting on the column $(x,1{)}^T$ gives the faithful Matrix Lie group representationMultiplication and inversion areThus $G$ is the real affine group. Differentiating the matrices at the identity gives its Lie algebraWiththe matrix commutator is $[D,T]=T$, and $[D,D]=[T,T]=0$.

The left Maurer-Cartan form and its right analogue areFor a constant $h$, left translation leaves ${\theta }_L$ unchanged, and right translation leaves ${\theta }_R$ unchanged. Taking their dual vector fields givesThe first pair consists of left-invariant vector fields; the second consists of right-invariant vector fields. These are the invariant frames of the real affine group. Computing their Lie brackets of vector fields yieldsAll brackets of a field with itself vanish. The sign difference is necessary: evaluation at the identity identifies left-invariant vector fields with the matrix Lie algebra as a homomorphism, whereas right-invariant vector fields realize the opposite Lie algebra. Equivalently, $\xi \mapsto -{\xi }_R$ is a homomorphism for the same matrix commutator. There is no convention in which these particular coordinate fields both have the positive structure constant while retaining the usual Lie bracket of vector fields.

The Maurer-Cartan equation gives the same check. If ${\theta }_L=D{\ell }^D+T{\ell }^T$, thenFor ${\theta }_R=D{r}^D+T{r}^T$, insteadThus the left equation is $d{\theta }_L+{\theta }_L\wedge {\theta }_L=0$ and the right equation is $d{\theta }_R-{\theta }_R\wedge {\theta }_R=0$, explaining the opposite bracket signs directly.

Finally, the two given matrix curves are $\exp (ϵT)$ and $\exp (ϵD)$. Their left action on a general group element isDifferentiating at $ϵ=0$ gives $T_R$ and $D_R$ respectively. Hence Left translations on a Lie group are generated by right-invariant vector fields. More generally, the velocity of $\exp (t\xi )g$ is $(d{R}_g{)}_e\xi$, which is right-invariant because left and right multiplication commute. In the other direction, the flows $g\exp (t\xi )$ generate left-invariant vector fields and are right translations on a Lie group.

A real Lie group is a group $G$ equipped with a finite-dimensional real smooth manifold structure, conventionally Hausdorff and second countable, for which multiplication $G\times G\to G$ and inversion $G\to G$ are smooth.

Its tangent space at the identity $e$ is defined by smooth curves through $e$: two curves represent the same tangent vector when their derivatives in a local chart agree at zero. For $X\in T_{e}G$, left translation $L_g(h)=gh$ determines the left-invariant vector fieldThe commutator of these derivations on smooth functions is another left-invariant vector field, so define the Lie bracketThis construction supplies the Lie algebra structure. In a Matrix Lie group, $X^L(g)=gX$ and differentiating the two fields gives $[X,Y]=XY-YX$.

For the special linear group, differentiate the determinant along a curve $g(t)$ through $I$. Expansion of the determinant, or its differential $D{\det }_A(H)=\det (A)\mathrm{tr}(A^{-1}H)$, givesThe determinant differential is surjective at $I$, so the level set $\det =1$ has tangent space equal to its differential's kernel. Equivalently, every tangent matrix has zero trace, and every zero-trace matrix supplies a curve $e^{tX}$ of determinant $e^{t\mathrm{tr}X}=1$. Hencewith the matrix commutator bracket. The same calculation over $\mathbb{C}$ gives the complex special linear Lie algebra ${\mathfrak{sl}}_n(\mathbb{C})$; as a real group, the complex group has that space viewed as a real Lie algebra.

The matrix exponential is the everywhere-convergent serieswhose inverse matrix is $\exp (-X)$. The matrix logarithm is locally defined near $I$ byThese maps are inverse on suitable neighbourhoods of zero and $I$, giving a logarithmic chart of a matrix Lie group. A logarithm is not a globally single-valued inverse of the exponential.

Every invertible complex matrix nevertheless has at least one matrix logarithm. Put it in Jordan normal form. For a block $J=\lambda I+N$, $\lambda \ne 0$ and $N^s=0$, choose any complex scalar logarithm $\ell$ of $\lambda$ and setThe finite logarithm and exponential identities in the nilpotent variable give $e^L=\lambda (I+N/\lambda )=J$. Combine the blocks and conjugate back. Thus the exponential map is surjective on ${\mathrm{GL}}_n(\mathbb{C})$, by existence of a logarithm for every invertible complex matrix.

A connected counterexample is ${\mathrm{SL}}_2(\mathbb{R})$. It is connected: polar decomposition of an invertible real matrix writes each element as $KP$, with $K\in \mathrm{SO}(2)$ and $P$ positive definite symmetric of determinant one; $\mathrm{SO}(2)$ is connected and $P$ is connected to $I$ through $P^t$.

But $g=\mathrm{diag}(-2,-1/2)$ belongs to this group and is not $e^X$ for any real $X$. Such an $X$ would commute with $e^X=g$. Since $g$ has two distinct real eigenvalues, direct commutation makes $X$ a real diagonal matrix. Its exponential has positive diagonal entries, a contradiction. ThereforeThis is an exponential-surjectivity obstruction from distinct negative eigenvalues; connectedness does not eliminate the obstruction.

A vector field is a smooth section $X:M\to TM$ of the tangent bundle. It differentiates smooth functions by $Xf(p)=X_p(f)$. Define the Lie bracket of vector fields intrinsically byExpanding this expression on a product $fh$ shows that the two mixed terms cancel, giving $[X,Y](fh)=f[X,Y]h+h[X,Y]f$. It is therefore a derivation, hence a vector field. In local coordinates,Its coefficients are smooth. The intrinsic definition depends on no chart, which proves coordinate independence of this formula and defines the bracket on the whole manifold.

For a Lie group $G$, let $L_g(h)=gh$ be Left translation on a Lie group. A left-invariant vector field satisfies $(d{L}_g{)}_h{X}_h=X_{gh}$ for every $g,h$. Evaluation $X\mapsto X_e$ is linear and injective, since $X_g=(d{L}_g{)}_e{X}_e$. Conversely any $B\in T_{e}G$ gives a smooth left-invariant vector field $X_B(g)=(d{L}_g{)}_{e}B$. Smoothness follows from smooth multiplication and its differential. ThusFor any diffeomorphism $F$, the intrinsic bracket identity on functions gives $F_{\ast }[X,Y]=[F_{\ast }X,F_{\ast }Y]$. Applying this naturality of the Lie bracket to $F=L_g$ proves that the bracket of two left-invariant vector fields remains left invariant. Evaluation at $e$ therefore defines the Lie algebra bracket on $\mathfrak{g}=T_{e}G$.

For the special orthogonal group, differentiation of $Q(t{)}^{T}Q(t)=I$ at $Q(0)=I$ gives $B^T+B=0$, so its tangent space is contained in the skew-symmetric matrices. Conversely, for any such $B$, the matrix exponential $Q(t)=e^{tB}$ satisfies $Q(t{)}^{T}Q(t)=I$ and lies in the determinant-one component, because $Q(0)=I$ and its determinant varies continuously in $\{\pm 1\}$. Its initial derivative is $B$, provingFor matrices, $X_B(Q)=QB$. Extend these fields to the open matrix group $\mathrm{GL}(n,\mathbb{R})$, where the differential of $Q\mapsto QB$ in direction $H$ is $HB$. HenceRestriction to the embedded special orthogonal group preserves this bracket because the fields are tangent. Evaluating at $I$ gives $[B_1,B_2]=B_1{B}_2-B_2{B}_1$, the required bracket on the Special orthogonal Lie algebra. The commutator is again skew symmetric. This calculation is differentiating left-invariant matrix fields; reversing the order of the two differentials would give the wrong sign.

Rescale the ambient coordinates by $q_i=a_i{r}_i$. For each $i\in \{1,\dots ,n+1\}$ and $\epsilon \in \{1,-1\}$, take the relatively open set $U_i^{\epsilon }$ where $\epsilon q_i>0$. Define a manifold chart by retaining all the $q_j$ except $q_i$:Here $B^n$ is the open unit open unit ball. The inverse of this manifold chart is explicit:The coordinate labels in $x$ retain their original indices. All the $a_i$ are nonzero, so this inverse exists; the strictly positive radicand makes it smooth on the whole open open unit ball. Projection and this inverse are continuous, so each manifold chart is a homeomorphism onto an open subset of ${\mathbb{R}}^n$.

These $2(n+1)$ manifold charts cover the ellipsoid, because at every point at least one $q_i$ is nonzero. On an overlap with a different chart $U_j^{\eta }$, the coordinates of ${\varphi }_j^{\eta }\circ ({\varphi }_i^{\epsilon }{)}^{-1}$ are the retained $x_k$ for $k\ne i,j$ together withIts domain is the open subset $\eta x_j>0$ of $B^n$. The displayed functions, and the reverse transition functions obtained by exchanging $i,j$, are smooth. Transitions between identical charts are the identity; opposite-sign charts with the same omitted coordinate do not overlap. The ambient subspace topology is Hausdorff and second countable, as it is inherited from Euclidean space. Thus this coordinate-projection atlas of an ellipsoid is a smooth atlas, proving the ellipsoid is a smooth manifold of dimension $n$. The rescaling $r\mapsto q$ also gives a diffeomorphism with the unit sphere $S^n$.

For the three-sphere, use its identification with SU(2) rather than separate local constructions. With the Pauli matrices ${\tau }_i$, put $T_i=-i{\tau }_i$. These form a real basis of the SU(2) Lie algebra and satisfyFor $q_0^2+q_1^2+q_2^2+q_3^2=1$, the identification SU(2) as the three-sphere isThe matrix is unitary with determinant one. Conversely, every SU(2) matrix has this form, and both the correspondence and its inverse are smooth.

The left translations $L_g(h)=gh$ are diffeomorphisms. Define three left-invariant vector fields byMatrix multiplication makes these vector fields smooth globally. Since $(d{L}_g{)}_e$ is an isomorphism from the SU(2) Lie algebra to $T_g\mathrm{SU}(2)$, the three vectors are linearly independent at every point, and each is nowhere zero. This is the parallelization of a Lie group by left translations.

Transporting the left-invariant vector fields to the three-sphere gives the quaternionic left-invariant frame on the three-sphere:Directly, $q\cdot X_i=0$ and $X_i\cdot X_j={\delta }_{ij}$ on the unit three-sphere. Thus the vectors are tangent and form a global orthonormal frame of a vector bundle. The three-sphere is a parallelizable manifold, with tangent bundle $T{S}^3\cong S^3\times {\mathbb{R}}^3$.

For a Matrix Lie group $G$, the left Maurer-Cartan form identifies tangent vectors with the Lie algebra by translating them to the identity:It is a Lie algebra-valued differential form of degree one. For a fixed $h\in G$, replacing $g$ by $hg$ gives $(hg{)}^{-1}d(hg)=g^{-1}dg$, so it is a left-invariant differential form.

Differentiate $g^{-1}g=I$ to get $d(g^{-1})=-g^{-1}(dg)g^{-1}$. The exterior derivative then givesHere the exterior product of matrix-valued differential forms includes matrix multiplication; the order of the matrices matters. Hence the Maurer-Cartan equation is

Write $\rho ={\sigma }^{\alpha }{T}_{\alpha }$. Antisymmetry of the exterior product impliesComparison of the Lie algebra components yields the Maurer-Cartan equation in a Lie-algebra basis:Thus the canonical antisymmetric choice is $f^{\gamma }{}_{\alpha \beta }=-\frac{1}{2}{c}^{\gamma }{}_{\alpha \beta }$. The factor one half is required because the sum includes both ordered pairs $(\alpha ,\beta )$ and $(\beta ,\alpha )$. If only $\alpha <\beta$ is summed, its coefficient is $-c^{\gamma }{}_{\alpha \beta }$. Strictly, the equality of differential forms determines only the antisymmetric part of $f$: one may add any tensor symmetric in $\alpha ,\beta$ without changing it. This is the symmetric-part ambiguity in Maurer-Cartan coefficients.

A faithful matrix representation of the orientation-preserving real affine group isIts action on $(x,1{)}^T$ has first component $ax+b$. The group operation and inverse areDifferent transformations have different matrix entries, proving faithfulness. With the Lie algebra basisthe left Maurer-Cartan form isThe requested left-invariant differential forms therefore form the Maurer-Cartan coframe of the real affine group:For a direct invariance check, left translation by $(a_0,b_0)$ sends $(a,b)$ to $(a_{0}a,b_0+a_{0}b)$, and the pullbacks of the two displayed differential forms are unchanged. Their dual left-invariant vector fields are $a{\partial }_a$ and $a{\partial }_b$, whose bracket is $a{\partial }_b$, in agreement with $[D,T]=T$.

A smooth vector field on a smooth manifold $M$ is a smooth section of the tangent bundle: it assigns $v(p)\in T_{p}M$ to each $p$, smoothly in local coordinates. In a coordinate chart it has the form $v={\sum }_i{a}_i\partial /\partial x_i$, with smooth coefficients $a_i$. Equivalently, it acts on smooth functions as a derivation, $v(fh)=v(f)h+fv(h)$.

For a Lie group $G$, write $L_a(h)=ah$ for Left translation on a Lie group. A left-invariant vector field satisfiesThus it is determined by its value at the identity. Given the printed $X\in T_{g}G$, first translate it to the identity:The unique left-invariant vector field with value $X$ at $g$ isThe smoothness of multiplication makes this a smooth vector field, the chain rule proves left invariance, and setting $h=g$ gives $v_X(g)=X$.

We prove the completeness of left-invariant vector fields: this left-invariant vector field is a complete vector field. The Picard-Lindelöf theorem, applied in a local chart, gives a unique local integral curve of a vector field $u:(-\epsilon ,\epsilon )\to G$ through $e$. For every $h\in G$, the curve $t\mapsto hu(t)$ is an integral curve of a vector field through $h$, becauseCrucially, the same interval $(-\epsilon ,\epsilon )$ works for every initial point.

Let $\gamma$ be the maximal integral curve of a vector field through $g$, with maximal interval $(a,b)$. If $b<\infty$, choose $t_0\in (a,b)$ with $b-t_0<\epsilon /2$. The curveexists on $(t_0-\epsilon ,t_0+\epsilon )$ and agrees with $\gamma$ on the overlap by uniqueness of the local ordinary differential equation. It extends $\gamma$ past $b$, a contradiction. The same argument at a finite $a$ excludes that possibility. Thus $(a,b)=\mathbb{R}$, and uniqueness on overlapping intervals gives uniqueness on all of $\mathbb{R}$.

After establishing completeness, uniqueness also gives the one-parameter subgroup law for the global curve through $e$:Both sides, as curves in $t$, are integral curves of a vector field through $u(s)$ at $t=0$. Defining the Exponential map of a Lie group by $u(t)=\exp (t\xi )$, the answer is

The identity component $G^{\circ }$ is an open normal subgroup, and every open identity neighbourhood generates it. Let $G^{\circ }$ be the connected component of $e$. The product of connected spaces is connected, so the image of $G^{\circ }\times G^{\circ }$ under multiplication is connected and contains $e$. It is therefore contained in $G^{\circ }$. Inversion has the same property. Thus $G^{\circ }$ is a subgroup.

A smooth manifold is locally connected. In particular, a coordinate neighbourhood of $e$ can be chosen homeomorphic to an open ball, so there is a connected open neighbourhood $O$ of $e$ contained in $G^{\circ }$. Its translates $hO$, $h\in G^{\circ }$, are open and lie in $G^{\circ }$, and cover $G^{\circ }$. Therefore the identity component of a Lie group is open in $G$. Conjugation by any $a\in G$ is a homeomorphism fixing $e$, so it maps $G^{\circ }$ into itself; conjugation by $a^{-1}$ gives the reverse inclusion. Hence $G^{\circ }$ is a normal subgroup.

If $U$ is an open neighbourhood of $e$ in $G^{\circ }$, let $H=⟨U⟩$, allowing inverses in the meaning of generated subgroup. For each $h\in H$, $hU$ is open and lies in $H$, so $H={\bigcup }_{h\in H}hU$ is open in $G^{\circ }$. Every other left coset of $H$ is also open. Thus $H$ is both open and closed in the connected space $G^{\circ }$. It is nonempty, so $H=G^{\circ }$.

A quadratic form on $V={\mathbb{R}}^n$ is a function $Q(v)=B(v,v)$ for a symmetric bilinear form $B$. Equivalently, $Q(tv)=t^{2}Q(v)$ and the polarizationis a bilinear map. In coordinates there is a unique real symmetric matrix $A$ with $Q(v)=v^{T}Av$. No assumption of nondegeneracy or positive definiteness is needed.

An element $g\in {\mathrm{GL}}_n(\mathbb{R})$ stabilizes $Q$ when $Q(gv)=Q(v)$ for every $v$. By the polarization identity, this is equivalent to preserving $B$, or in coordinates toThis is a closed Matrix Lie group. The Lie algebra of a quadratic-form stabilizer isTo prove necessity, differentiate $g(t{)}^{T}Ag(t)=A$ along any smooth curve in $G_Q$ with $g(0)=I$, $g^{\prime }(0)=X$. The derivative at zero is $X^{T}A+AX$.

To prove sufficiency, suppose $X^{T}A+AX=0$ and consider the matrix exponential $g(t)=e^{tX}$. ThenIts value at zero is $A$, so $e^{tX}\in G_Q$ for every real $t$. This curve has derivative $X$ at zero, proving the claimed tangent space description even for a degenerate quadratic form.

Equivalently, the condition is $B(Xu,v)+B(u,Xv)=0$ for all $u,v$. For a nondegenerate quadratic form it is the corresponding Special orthogonal Lie algebra. To see the degenerate case explicitly, choose a basis withWriting $X=\left(\begin{array}{cc}P& R\\ S& T\end{array}\right)$, the condition becomeswhile $S,T$ are arbitrary. Thus the nullspace of the quadratic form is invariant, but arbitrary infinitesimal maps into it are allowed. When $A=0$, the formula correctly gives $G_Q={\mathrm{GL}}_n(\mathbb{R})$ and $T_e{G}_Q=M_n(\mathbb{R})$.

For $v$ in the domain of the exponential map at $p$, let ${\gamma }_v$ be the unique geodesic with initial data $(p,v)$ and define ${\exp }_p(v)={\gamma }_v(1)$. The domain consists of initial velocities whose geodesics exist on $[0,1]$; it is open, contains zero, and need not be the whole tangent space. The ordinary differential equation theorem used here says that a smooth vector field has unique maximal integral curves, with an open flow domain and smooth dependence on initial point and time. Applied to the geodesic equation on $TM$, it gives smoothness of the exponential map. Rescaling the parameter gives ${\exp }_p(tv)={\gamma }_v(t)$ and hence $(d{\exp }_p{)}_0(v)=v$. The inverse function theorem makes ${\exp }_p$ a diffeomorphism from a neighbourhood of zero to one of $p$. Coordinates in an orthonormal tangent basis transported by this map are geodesic normal coordinates.

The geodesic sphere of radius $r$ is $S_r(p)=\{x:d(p,x)=r\}$. For small $r>0$, it is ${\exp }_p(\{v:\Vert v\Vert =r\})$, a smooth compact hypersurface; larger distance spheres need not be smooth. The Gauss lemma statesIn particular radial and angular directions are orthogonal and the radial coordinate measures arc length.

For a piecewise smooth path $c$, put $L(c)=\int \Vert \dot{c}(t)\Vert dt$. The Riemannian distance is $d(x,y)=\inf L(c)$ over such paths from $x$ to $y$. Connectedness makes it finite. Reversal and concatenation give symmetry and the triangle inequality; positivity and compatibility with the manifold topology follow locally from geodesic normal coordinates and the Gauss lemma.

Choose $r_0>0$ so that ${\exp }_p$ is a diffeomorphism on a neighbourhood of the closed tangent ball of radius $2r_0$. For $r<r_0$, radial geodesics realize the distance from $p$ on that ball. Indeed, Gauss lemma bounds any path remaining in the normal ball below by its radial change, while a path leaving the radius-$2r_0$ ball already has length at least $2r_0$. Thus the radius-$r$ sphere is the compact exponential image described above.

Given $q\ne p$, take $0<\delta <\min \{r_0,d(p,q)\}$. The continuous function $z\mapsto d(z,q)$ attains its minimum at some $p_0\in S_{\delta }(p)$. Every path from $p$ to $q$ crosses that sphere, since the distance from $p$ is continuous. Splitting at a crossing gives length at least $\delta +{\min }_{S_{\delta }(p)}d(\cdot ,q)$. Taking the infimum over paths, and using the triangle inequality in the other direction, proves the distance splitting through a small geodesic sphere equalityThis compact local argument does not assume completeness or the existence of a globally minimizing geodesic to $q$.

For the Lie-group clause, a bi-invariant Riemannian metric has adjoint-invariant identity inner product. Differentiating this invariance gives $⟨[X,Y],Z⟩+⟨Y,[X,Z]⟩=0$. The Koszul formula for left-invariant vector fields has no metric-derivative terms, and this skew-adjointness reduces it toThis is the Levi-Civita connection of a bi-invariant metric.

Let $\sigma$ be the integral curve through the identity of the left-invariant field with identity value $v$. Uniqueness and left translation show $\sigma (s+t)=\sigma (s)\sigma (t)$ wherever the local curves are defined. The field is complete: a fixed local existence interval about the identity translates to an equally long interval at every point of the group. Restarting the curve before any proposed finite endpoint extends it beyond that endpoint. Thus $\sigma$ exists on $\mathbb{R}$, and uniqueness now gives the group law for every $s,t$.

Since ${\nabla }_{X}X=0$, this integral curve is a geodesic. Conversely any geodesic starting at the identity has the same initial data as one of these curves and agrees with it by uniqueness. Therefore the geodesics of a bi-invariant metric are one-parameter subgroups conclusion isThe zero velocity gives the constant, trivial subgroup. Here ${\exp }_G$ is the Exponential map of a Lie group; for this metric it agrees at the identity with the Riemannian exponential.

The Lie bracket of vector fields is bilinear, alternating, satisfies the Jacobi identity, and is natural under diffeomorphisms. Therefore the bracket of two left-invariant vector fields is left-invariant. DefineThenand the inherited bilinearity, alternation, and Jacobi identity make $T_{e}G$ a Lie algebra.

Applying $T_a(y)={\mu }_a{}^s(y)\partial /\partial y^s$ to a function of $z$ and using part vi,HenceThese are the same left-invariant vector fields in different coordinates.

Let $N=(0,\dots ,0,1)$ and $S=(0,\dots ,0,-1)$ be the poles of $S^n$. The open sets $U_N=S^n\setminus \{N\}$ and $U_S=S^n\setminus \{S\}$ cover the sphere. Stereographic projection gives coordinate chartsfrom these sets to ${\mathbb{R}}^n$. Their inverses areOn the overlap, the transition map iswhich is a smooth diffeomorphism of ${\mathbb{R}}^n\setminus \{0\}$. These two compatible charts make $S^n$ a smooth manifold of dimension $n$.

Now let $G$ be an $m$-dimensional Lie group and choose a basis $e_1,\dots ,e_m$ of its tangent space $T_{e}G$ at the identity. Definewhere $L_g$ is Left translation on a Lie group. Smoothness of multiplication makes each $E_i$ a smooth left-invariant vector field, and invertibility of $(d{L}_g{)}_e$ makes $E_1(g),\dots ,E_m(g)$ a basis of $T_{g}G$ at every point. Thus the $E_i$ form a global frame and every Lie group is a parallelizable manifold.

The columns of a matrix in the special unitary group $SU(2)$ are orthonormal and its determinant is one. Consequently every element has the unique formThe pair $(z_1,z_2)\in {\mathbb{C}}^2\cong {\mathbb{R}}^4$ therefore identifies $SU(2)$ diffeomorphically with $S^3$. The Lie-group construction then proves that $S^3$ is parallelizable; this is the SU(2) as the three-sphere identification.

Another example is $S^1$, which is the Lie group $U(1)$. Explicitly, at $(x,y)\in S^1$ the vectoris smooth, tangent, and nowhere zero, so it is a global one-vector frame. Thus $S^1$ is another parallelizable sphere.

For $\xi$ in the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, set ${\Phi }^t=R_{\exp (t\xi )}$. The one-parameter subgroup law gives the flow law, andso this is the global flow of the left-invariant vector field $l_{\xi }$.

For $f(g)=R_g^{\ast }\alpha$, every tangent vector at $g$ is the initial velocity of $g\exp (t\xi )$ for some $\xi$. Since $R_{g\exp (t\xi )}=R_{\exp (t\xi )}\circ R_g$,Thus all ${\mathcal{L}}_{l_{\xi }}\alpha$ vanish exactly when every derivative of $f$ vanishes. This is equivalent to $f$ being a locally constant function.