Connection (mathematics) 1970-01-01
In mathematics, particularly in the context of differential geometry and topology, a **connection** refers to a way of specifying a consistent method to differentiate vector fields and sections of vector bundles. It essentially allows for the comparison of vectors in different tangent spaces and enables the definition of notions like parallel transport, curvature, and geodesics within a manifold.
Connection (principal bundle) 1970-01-01
In the context of differential geometry and algebraic topology, a **connection** on a principal bundle is a mathematical structure that allows one to define and work with notions of parallel transport and differentiability on the bundle. A principal bundle is a mathematical object that consists of a total space \( P \), a base space \( M \), and a group \( G \) (the structure group) acting freely and transitively on the fibers of the bundle.
Connection form 1970-01-01
The term "Connection form" can refer to different concepts depending on the context. Here are a few interpretations: 1. **Mathematical Context**: In differential geometry, a connection form is a mathematical object that describes how to "connect" or compare tangent spaces in a fiber bundle. It is often associated with the notion of a connection on a principal bundle or vector bundle, which allows for the definition of parallel transport and curvature.
Contact (mathematics) 1970-01-01
In mathematics, particularly in differential geometry and the study of dynamical systems, the term "contact" often refers to a specific type of geometric structure known as a **contact structure**. A contact structure can be thought of as a way to define a certain kind of "hyperplane" or "half-space" at each point of a manifold, which has important implications in the study of differentiable manifolds and their properties.
Coordinate-induced basis 1970-01-01
The term "coordinate-induced basis" generally refers to a basis of a vector space that is derived from a specific coordinate system. In linear algebra, particularly in the context of finite-dimensional vector spaces, a basis is a set of vectors that can be used to express any vector in the space as a linear combination of those basis vectors.
Costa's minimal surface 1970-01-01
Costa's minimal surface is a notable example of a non-embedded minimal surface in three-dimensional space, discovered by the mathematician Hugo Ferreira Costa in 1982. It provides an important counterexample to the general intuition about minimal surfaces, particularly because it exhibits a complex topology. Here are some key features of Costa's minimal surface: 1. **Topological Structure**: Costa's surface is homeomorphic to a torus (it has the same basic shape as a donut).
Courant algebroid 1970-01-01
A Courant algebroid is a mathematical structure that arises in the study of differential geometry and mathematical physics, particularly in the context of higher structures in geometry and gauge theory. It is a generalization of a Lie algebroid and incorporates the notions of both a Lie algebroid and a symmetric bilinear pairing.
Covariant derivative 1970-01-01
The covariant derivative is a way to differentiate vector fields and tensor fields in a manner that respects the geometric structure of the underlying manifold. It is a generalization of the concept of directional derivatives from vector calculus to curved spaces, ensuring that the differentiation has a consistent and meaningful geometric interpretation. ### Key Concepts: 1. **Manifold**: A manifold is a mathematical space that locally resembles Euclidean space and allows for the generalization of calculus in curved spaces.
Covariant transformation 1970-01-01
Covariant transformation refers to how certain mathematical objects, particularly tensors, change under coordinate transformations in a manner that preserves their form and relationships. In the context of physics and mathematics, especially in the realms of differential geometry and tensor calculus, understanding covariant transformations is essential for describing physical laws in a way that is independent of the choice of coordinates.
Crofton formula 1970-01-01
The Crofton formula is a fundamental result in integral geometry that relates the length of a curve to the probability of randomly intersecting that curve using a family of lines. Specifically, it allows us to estimate the length of a curve in a geometric space by considering how many times random lines intersect it.
Curvature form 1970-01-01
In differential geometry, the curvature form is a mathematical object that describes the curvature of a connection on a principal bundle. It is particularly important in the context of gauge theory and in the study of connections on vector bundles. Here’s a more detailed breakdown: 1. **Principal Bundles and Connections**: In the context of a principal bundle, a connection gives a way to differentiate sections and to define parallel transport.
Curvature of Riemannian manifolds 1970-01-01
Curvature in the context of Riemannian manifolds is a fundamental concept in differential geometry that describes how a manifold bends or deviates from being flat. In a more intuitive sense, curvature provides a way to measure how the geometry of a manifold differs from that of Euclidean space. Here are some key aspects of curvature in Riemannian manifolds: ### 1.
"Curvature of Space and Time" refers to the way that the geometry of the universe is influenced by the presence of mass and energy, as described by Einstein's theory of General Relativity. In this framework, space and time are interwoven into a four-dimensional continuum known as spacetime. The curvature of this spacetime is a fundamental concept, as it relates to the gravitational effects that we observe. ### Basic Concepts of Curvature 1.
Curved space 1970-01-01
Curved space refers to the concept in physics and mathematics where the geometry of a space is not flat but instead has curvature. This idea is primarily associated with Einstein's theory of General Relativity, which describes gravity not as a force in the traditional sense but as the effect of mass and energy curving spacetime. In flat (Euclidean) geometry, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
Darboux frame 1970-01-01
A Darboux frame, often referred to in differential geometry, is a specific orthonormal frame associated with a surface in three-dimensional Euclidean space. It provides a systematic way to describe the local geometric properties of a surface at a given point. For a surface parametrized by a smooth map, the Darboux frame consists of three orthonormal vectors: 1. **Tangent vector (T)**: This is the unit tangent vector to the curve obtained by fixing one parameter (e.
De Sitter space 1970-01-01
De Sitter space is a fundamental solution to the equations of general relativity that describes a vacuum solution with a positive cosmological constant. It represents a model of the universe that is expanding at an accelerating rate, which is consistent with observations of our universe's current accelerated expansion. ### Key Features of De Sitter Space: 1. **Geometry**: De Sitter space can be understood as a hyperbolic space embedded in a higher dimensional Minkowski space.
Deformed Hermitian Yang–Mills equation 1970-01-01
The Deformed Hermitian Yang–Mills (dHYM) equation is a modification of the classical Hermitian Yang–Mills (HYM) equations, which arise in the study of differential geometry, algebraic geometry, and mathematical physics, particularly in the context of string theory and stability conditions of sheaves on complex manifolds.
Density on a manifold 1970-01-01
In the context of differential geometry and manifold theory, "density" generally refers to the concept of a volume density, which provides a way to measure the "size" or "volume" of subsets of the manifold. Specifically, there are several related ideas: 1. **Volume Forms**: On a smooth manifold \( M \), a volume form is a smooth, non-negative differential form of top degree (i.e.
Developable surface 1970-01-01
A developable surface is a type of surface in geometry that can be flattened into a two-dimensional plane without distortion. This means that the surface can be "unfolded" or "rolled out" in such a way that there is no stretching, tearing, or compressing involved. Developable surfaces include shapes like: 1. **Planes**: Flat surfaces are obviously developable as they are already two-dimensional.
Development (differential geometry) 1970-01-01
In differential geometry, the concept of **development** refers to a way of representing a curved surface as if it were flat, allowing for the analysis of the intrinsic geometry of the surface in a more manageable way. The term often pertains to the idea of "developing" the surface onto a plane or some other surface. This is frequently used in the context of the study of curves and surfaces, particularly in the context of Riemannian geometry.