Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2012 iii Paper 56 4 c Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
Extract the Riemann curvature tensor from using the curvature 2-forms just computed. Contraction gives the diagonal Ricci tensor in the orthonormal coframe:For example, the component receives from each of the and directions and from direction . The signs in the spatial components reflect the same Lorentzian index lowering used for the connection 1-forms.
For a null vector in this frame, . ThereforeThe Einstein field equations imply , since the metric term vanishes for a null vector; an included cosmological-constant term would also vanish. Choose and apply the null energy condition. It follows thatConversely, this inequality makes the same contraction nonnegative for every null vector, so it is exactly the null energy condition for a planar warped spacetime when its matter stress-energy tensor is defined by the Einstein field equations. Null vectors tangent to the planar slices saturate the condition. As checks, constant gives flat spacetime and gives constant negative sectional curvature with , also saturating it.