PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Relativity & Gravitation · Differential geometry of curved spacetime · Differential geometry of curved spacetime
The Geometry of Gravity, Ch Matter in curved spacetime: minimal coupling and relativistic hydrodynamics
Problem
A perfect fluid has stress-energy tensor Tμν=(ρ+p)uμuν+pgμν, with uμuμ=−1 (geometric units, c=G=1), and obeys ∇μTμν=0. Let Pμν=gμν+uμuν be the projector orthogonal to uμ.
((a)) Contract ∇μTμν=0 with uν to derive the energy equation uμ∇μρ+(ρ+p)∇μuμ=0. State where uμ∇νuμ=0 is used.
((b)) Contract ∇μTμν=0 with Pαν to derive the relativistic Euler equation (ρ+p)uν∇νuα=−Pαν∇νp.
((c)) Set p=0 everywhere in the results of (a) and (b). Identify the two equations obtained and show that a pressureless fluid (dust) follows geodesics as a consequence of ∇μTμν=0 alone, with no separate assumption about the motion of its constituent particles.
((d)) Now specialise to a static observer in a static metric with gtt=−e2A(r), for which uμ=(e−A,0,0,0) and uν∇νuα=∂αA (spatial components only). Substitute into the Euler equation of part (b) to obtain the relativistic hydrostatic equilibrium condition, and write it for the radial direction.