Introduction to Mathematical Physics/Relativity/Space geometrization

Classical mechanics
Classical mechanics is based on two fundamental principles: the Galilean relativity principle and the fundamental principle of dynamics. Let us state Galileo relativity principle:

In classical mechanics the time interval separating two events is independent of the movement of the reference frame. Distance between two points of a rigid body is independent of the movement of the reference frame.

Following Gallilean relativity, the light speed should depend on the Galilean reference frame considered. In 1881, the experiment of Michelson and Morley attempting to measure this dependance fails.

Relativistic mechanics (Special relativity)
Relativistic mechanics in the special case introduced by Einstein, as he was 26 years old, is based on the following postulate:

Because Einstein believes in the Maxwell equations (and because the Michelson Morley experiment fails) $$c$$ has to be a constant. So Einstein postulates:

We will see how the physical laws have to be modified to obey to those postulates later on. The existence of a universal speed, the light speed, modifies deeply space--time structure. It yields to precise the metrics (see appendix chaptens for an introduction to the notion of metrics) adopted in special relativity. Let us consider two Galilean reference frames characterized by coordinates: $$(x,t)$$ and $$(x^\prime,t^\prime)$$. Assume that at $$t=t^\prime=0$$ both coordinate system coincide. Then:

that is to say:

and

Quantity $$c^2t^2-x^2$$ is thus an invariant. The most natural metrics that should equip space--time is thus:

It is postulated that this metrics should be invariant by Galilean change of coordinates.

Let us now look for the representation of a transformation of space--time that keeps unchanged this metrics. We look for transformations such that:

is invariant. From, the metrics, a "position vector" have to be defined. It is called four-vector position, and two formalisms are possible to define it:\index{four--vector}. Once the formalism is chosen, the representation of transformations i. e., the matrices), that leaves the pseudo-norm invariant can be investigated (see (references)). Here we will just exhibit such matrices. In first formalism, condition that pseudo-product scalar is invariant implies that:
 * Either coordinates of four-vector position are taken equal to $$R=(x,y,z,ct)$$ and space is equipped by pseudo scalar product defined by matrix: Then:  where $$R^t$$ represents the transposed of four-vector position $$R$$.
 * Or coordinates of four-vector position are taken equal to $$R=(x,y,z,ict)$$ and space is equipped by pseudo scalar product defined by matrix:  Then:  where $$R^t$$ represents the transposed four-vector position $$R$$.

thus

Following matrix suits:

where $$\beta=\frac{v}{c}$$ ($$v$$ is the speed of the reference frame) and $$\gamma=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\beta^2}}$$. The inverse of $$M$$:

In the second formalism, this same condition implies:

Following matrix suits:

and its inverse is:

Eigen time
Four-scalar (or Lorentz invariant) $$d\tau$$ allows to define other four-vectors (as four-vector velocity):

If mobile travels at velocity $$v$$ in reference frame $$R_2$$, then events A and B that are referenced in $$R_1$$ travelling the mobile by: $$\begin{matrix} x_A=0& &x_B=0\\ ct_A=0& &ct_B=c\tau \end{matrix}$$ and are referenced in $$R_2$$ by: $$\begin{matrix} x_A=0& &x_B=vt\\ ct_A=0& &ct_B=ct. \end{matrix}$$ So, one gets the relation verified by $$\tau$$::

so

Velocity four-vector
Velocity four-vector is defined by:

where $$u=\frac{dx}{dt}$$ is the classical speed.

Other four-vectors
Here are some other four-vectors (expressed using first formalism):
 * four-vector position :
 * four-vector wave:
 * four-vector nabla:

General relativity
There exists two ways to tackle laws of Nature discovery problem:

"phenomenological". A good example of phenomenological theory is quantum mechanics theory. This method consists in starting from known facts (from experiments) to infer laws. Observable notion is then a fundamental notion. It is the method called a priori. It has been used by Einstein to propose his relativity theory. It consists in starting from principles that are believed to be true and to look for laws that obey to those principles.
 * 1) First method can be called
 * 1) There exist another method less "anthropocentric" whose advantages had been underlined at century 17 by philosophers like Descartes.

Here are the fundamental postulates of general relativity:

Einstein believes strongly in those postulates. On another hand, he believes that modelization of gravitational field have to be improved. From this postulates, Einstein equation can be obtained: One can show that any tensor $$S_{ij}$$ that verifies those postulates:

where $$a$$ and $$\lambda$$ are two constants and $$R_{ij}$$, the Ricci curvature tensor, and $$R$$, the scalar curvature are defined from $$g_{ij}$$ tensor\footnote{ Reader is invited to refer to specialized books for the expression of $$R_{ij}$$ and $$R$$.} Einstein equation corresponds to $$a=1$$. Constant $$\lambda$$ is called cosmological constant. Matter tensor is not deduced from symmetries implied by postulates as tensor $$S_{ij}$$ is. Please refer to references) for indications about how to model matter tensor. Anyway, there is great difference between $$S_{ij}$$ curvature tensor and matter tensor. Einstein opposes those two terms saying that curvature term is smooth as gold and matter term is rough as wood.