Harmonic lapse evolution 2026-10-06
For a positive lapse function , shift vector , and the convention for extrinsic curvature of a spatial hypersurface, the time-coordinate harmonic slicing condition yields the displayed advective lapse equation. Combining with the spatial volume evolution identity proves it without setting the shift vector to zero.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 52 3 iv Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
First, the inverse metric tensor printed in the PDF has a missing factor: its lower-left entry must be , symmetric with . This correction follows either from symmetry or direct block multiplication and does not change the evolution equation used here.
Let . Contract the spatial metric tensor evolution equation with . Both shift-gradient terms contribute , givingThe Jacobi determinant derivative formula applies to every derivative of and gives . Therefore the spatial determinant evolves asEquivalently, the spatial volume evolution identity is , with the trace of the extrinsic curvature of a spatial hypersurface.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 52 3 v Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Use the equivalent density form of harmonic slicing from part (ii). With , positive lapse function , and the corrected inverse metric tensor, its time component becomesThus , orThe spatial volume evolution identity gives . Subtraction yields , hence the harmonic lapse evolution isThe shift vector need not vanish; its transport term is essential in a general 3+1 decomposition of spacetime.