Christoffel Symbols: Difference, Importance & Uses

In summary, the Christoffel symbols of the first kind and those of the second kind are different ways of expressing the same concept, with the first kind being more useful for defining the Riemann curvature and the second kind for torsion and contorsion. This difference may be due to the fact that neither set of symbols are tensors. The first kind is used to describe the covariant derivative on tangent spaces, while the second kind describes the induced covariant derivative on dual tangent spaces. The two sets of symbols are related through a simple calculation. The definition of the induced covariant derivative in the cotangent bundle is also discussed, along with its properties and generalization to arbitrary tensors. Contrary to popular belief, the first and second
  • #1
dsaun777
293
39
What is the general difference or importance between using christoffel symbols of the first kind and those of the second kind in terms of geometry and their application. The christoffel symbols of the second are identical to those of the first except with the inverse metric tensor in front, correct?Why have the both the first and second kind? what are the first used for and the second used for in general? I know the importance of the second kind in terms of the covariant derivative but what use does the first kind have in physics and math.
 
  • Like
Likes Bishal Banjara
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
This depends on what you mean by ”use”. Some things, such as arriving at the expression for the Christoffel symbols in terms of the metric, are easier to do using the first kind. Geometrically and computationally, the second kind is typically more intuitive and useful.
 
  • #3
The reason for the distinction between the first and second kind may be that neither are tensors. If they were tensors then the difference would be the trivial lowering of an index, and we would regard them as manifestations of the same tensor. But they are not tensors, so we have to be careful and treat them separately. The first kind is useful for defining the Riemann curvature, second is useful for torsion and contorsion.
 
  • #5
Michael Price said:
The reason for the distinction between the first and second kind may be that neither are tensors. If they were tensors then the difference would be the trivial lowering of an index, and we would regard them as manifestations of the same tensor. But they are not tensors, so we have to be careful and treat them separately. The first kind is useful for defining the Riemann curvature, second is useful for torsion and contorsion.

If I am not wrong, and please correct this if it is not right, one set of Christoffel symbols describes the covariant derivative on the tangent spaces, the other describes the induced covariant derivative on the dual tangent spaces.

In this special case of a metric compatible affine connection, the difference in the Christoffel symbols seems somewhat trivial. But the underlying idea that there are two different connections on two different vector bundles is not.

From this point of view, one starts with the general definition of covariant derivative and then specializes to the case of a metric compatible connection.

For any affine connection, metric compatible or not, the covariant derivative extends to all tensors. The covariant derivative ##∇_{X}ω## of the 1 form ##ω## with respect to the tangent vector field ##X## is defined by the rule

##(∇_{X}ω)(Y)=X⋅ω(Y) -ω(∇_{X}Y)##

for any vector field ##Y##

In this formula ##X⋅ω(Y)## is the ordinary derivative of the function ##ω(Y)## with respect to the vector field ##X##.

If there is a metric ##<,>## then for any vector field ##Z## the inner product of vector fields with Z is a 1 form and the above formula becomes

##(∇_{X}<Z,>)(Y)=X⋅<Z,Y> -<Z,∇_{X}Y>##

and if the covariant derivative is metric compatible the formula simplifies to

##(∇_{X}<Z,>)(Y)=<∇_{X}Z,Y>##

In words this says that the covariant derivative of the inner product with a vector field Z is the inner product with the covariant derivative of Z. Without metric compatibility this would not be true.

Using this, it is a simple calculation to express the Christoffel symbols for the induced covariant derivative on the dual tangent spaces in term of the Christoffel symbols on the tangent spaces.

For a coordinate basis ##e_{i}##

##∇_{e_{i}}e_{j} = ΣΓ_{ij}^{k}e_{k}##

and ##(∇_{ei}<e_{j},>)=<Σ_{k}Γ_{ij}^{k}e_{k},>##

so the coefficients of this 1 form with respect to the dual basis vectors ##e_{l}^{*}## are

##<Σ_{k}kΓ_{ij}^{k}e_{k},e_{l}>## or using index notation this is

##Γ_{ij}^{k}g_{kl}##
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes ChinleShale
  • #6
Some exercises for post #5 on the definition of the induced covariant derivative in the cotangent bundle,

##(∇_{X}ω)(Y)=X⋅ω(Y) -ω(∇_{X}Y)##

Show that
1) ##∇_{X}ω## is an element of the cotangent space at each point of the manifold.
2) Given a tangent vector ##X_{p}## at a point ##p##, ##∇_{X_{p}}ω## is well defined
3) ##∇_{X}ω## defines a covariant derivative: There are several formal properties to verify

##∇_{X}ω## is linear in ##X##

##∇_{X}(ω+σ)= ∇_{X}ω+∇_{X}σ##

##∇_{X}(fω) = (X⋅f)ω + f∇_{X}ω##

4) ##∇_{X}ω## is actually a 1 form . Since in 1) it is shown to be an element of the cotangent space, it remains to show that it is smooth whenever ##X## is a smooth vector field.

5) Generalize this definition to arbitrary tensors.
 
  • Like
Likes lavinia
  • #7
First kind and second kind are duals, right? One to compute covariant geometry, other one to compute contravariant geometry.
 
  • #8
guru_4 said:
First kind and second kind are duals, right? One to compute covariant geometry, other one to compute contravariant geometry.
No. It is Christoffel symbols of the second kind that appear in the coordinate expressions for the covariant derivatives of both tangent and dual vectors.
 

1. What are Christoffel Symbols?

Christoffel symbols are mathematical quantities used in differential geometry to describe the curvature of a space. They are represented by the Greek letter Gamma (Γ) and are used to calculate the components of a metric tensor, which describes the distance between points in a space.

2. What is the difference between Christoffel Symbols and other mathematical symbols?

Christoffel symbols are specific to differential geometry and are used to describe the curvature of a space, while other mathematical symbols may have different meanings and applications in other fields of mathematics.

3. Why are Christoffel Symbols important?

Christoffel symbols play a crucial role in understanding the geometry of a space, which has many practical applications in physics, engineering, and other scientific fields. They are also used in the calculation of geodesics, which are the shortest paths between two points in a curved space.

4. What are some common uses of Christoffel Symbols?

Christoffel symbols are used in general relativity to describe the curvature of spacetime, in differential geometry to study the curvature of surfaces, and in differential equations to solve problems involving curved spaces. They are also used in computer graphics and image processing for shape analysis and image registration.

5. How can I learn more about Christoffel Symbols?

There are many resources available to learn more about Christoffel symbols, including textbooks on differential geometry, online lectures and tutorials, and academic papers. It is recommended to have a strong background in mathematics, particularly in calculus and linear algebra, before delving into the study of Christoffel symbols.

Similar threads

  • Differential Geometry
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • Differential Geometry
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Differential Geometry
Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Differential Geometry
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Differential Geometry
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • Differential Geometry
Replies
10
Views
3K
Back
Top