Past exam of the general relativity II course of the University of Oxford / 2021 / 1 / a / Solution

Write $D=u^a{\nabla }_a$, $\theta ={\nabla }_a{u}^a$ for the expansion scalar, $a_b=u^a{\nabla }_a{u}_b$ for the four-acceleration, and $P_b{}^c={\delta }_b{}^c+u_b{u}^c$ for the spatial projector of a timelike congruence. The normalization of the four-velocity gives $u^b{a}_b=0$ and $u^b{\nabla }_a{u}_b=0$. The product rule and metric compatibility give the covariant derivative of the perfect fluid in general relativity stress-energy tensor:Its tensor contraction with the four-velocity isand its projection with the spatial projector of a timelike congruence isThus stress-energy conservation implies the relativistic perfect-fluid energy equation and the relativistic Euler equation:Conversely, the two displayed equations set both projections of $F_b$ to zero. Since $F_b=P_b{}^c{F}_c-u_b{u}^c{F}_c$, they imply $F_b=0$. This establishes equivalence, including points where $\rho +p=0$, without dividing by that quantity.