Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / iii / Paper 311 / 2 / d / i

The dominant energy condition says that, for every future timelike vector $u^a$, the energy current $J^a=-T^a{}_b{u}^b$ is future causal or zero. Choose normal coordinates whose future unit time vector at $p$ is $u^a=(1,0,0,0)$. With metric signature $(-,+,+,+)$ and symmetric stress-energy tensor,A vector with these components is future causal or zero exactly whenThis proves necessity. Conversely, every future unit timelike vector can be made the time axis of an orthonormal frame by a proper orthochronous Lorentz transformation, and that frame can be extended to normal coordinates at $p$. Requiring the displayed inequality in every such chart therefore gives the dominant energy condition for every future timelike vector; positive rescaling handles nonunit vectors. Future null vectors follow by continuity if they are included in the definition. The condition must hold in every local Lorentz frame; one chart alone is insufficient.