Questions tagged [riemannian-geometry]

For questions about Riemann geometry, which is a branch of differential geometry dealing with Riemannian manifolds.

Introduction

Metaphorically, Riemannian geometry is what happens when we try to generalize the Pythagorean theorem to work on smooth manifolds in general, but accidently drop the Pythagorean theorem in a blender along the way.

Definition 1.1a: (Riemannian Metric) Suppose $M$ is a smooth manifold. A Riemannian metric on $M$ is a section $\mathrm{g}\in\Gamma(T^\vee\hspace{-.25em}M\otimes T^\vee\hspace{-.25em}M)$ such that, for each $p\in M$ and all $X_p,Y_p\in T_pM$,

  • $\mathrm{g}_p(X_p\otimes Y_p)=\mathrm{g}_p(Y_p\otimes X_p)$,

  • $\mathrm{g}_p(X_p\otimes X_p)\geq0$, with equality if and only if $X_p=0$.

Note that many mathematicians use the following equivalent definition.

Definition 1.1b: (Riemannian Metric) Suppose $M$ is a smooth manifold. A Riemannian metric is a smooth function $\mathrm{g}:TM\times_MTM\to\mathbb{R}$, where $TM\times_MTM$ is the fiber product, such that, for each $p\in M$, all $X_p,Y_p,Z_p\in T_pM$, and all $a,b\in\mathbb{R}$,

  • $\mathrm{g}(aX_p+bY_p,Z_p)=a\mathrm{g}(X_p,Z_p)+b\mathrm{g}(Y_p,Z_p)$,
  • $\mathrm{g}(X_p,Y_p)=\mathrm{g}(Y_p,X_p)$,
  • $\mathrm{g}(X_p,X_p)\geq0$, with equality if and only if $X_p=0$.

Regardless of the particulars of the definition, a Riemannian metric is essentially a smooth choice of inner product on each tangent space. Making a choice of Riemannian metric gives us a Riemannian manifold.

Definition 1.2: (Riemannian Manifold) A Riemannian manifold is a pair $(M,\mathrm{g})$, where $M$ is a smooth manifold and $\mathrm{g}$ is a Riemannian metric.

There is a plethora of examples of Riemannian manifolds that appear all over geometry.

Example 1.3: (Euclidean Space) Let $x$ be the (global) identity chart on $\mathbb{R}^n$. A Euclidean space is a Riemannian manifold of the form $$\left(\mathbb{R}^n,\sum_{i=1}^n\mathrm{d}x^i\otimes\mathrm{d}x^i\right).$$ Usually, we identify $n$-dimensional Euclidean space with $\mathbb{R}^n$.

Example 1.4: (Hyperbolic Plane) Let $(x,y)$ be the (global) identity chart on the upper half plane. Then, the hyperbolic plane is the Riemannian manifold $$H^2=\left(\mathbb{R}\times\mathbb{R}_+,\frac{1}{y^2}\left(\mathrm{d}x\otimes\mathrm{d}x+\mathrm{d}y\otimes\mathrm{d}y\right)\right).$$

This tag is for questions about Riemann geometry, which is a branch of differential geometry dealing with Riemannian manifolds. Usually, Riemannian geometry focuses on the notions of distance, curvature, and shape. Consider using this tag if your question involves Riemannian manifolds or objects generally associated with them, such as Levi-Civita connections.

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Riemannian metric on polar coordinates.

Let a Riemannian manifold $M$, it is possible to write all Riemannian metrics $g$ of manifold $M$ is polar coordinates, if it is possible what guarantees this? To finish, what is the expression general for this metric?
Cézar Bezerra
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Calculating Gaussian curvature given first fundamental form only

Given a first fundamental form, i.e. $$\frac{(du)^2 + (dv)^2}{u^2 + v^2}.$$ How can I calculate the Gaussian curvature $K$? I do not really know how to approach the problem, since the formulas for the Gaussian curvature involve the second…
TheGeekGreek
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Show using the Gauss-Bonnet theorem that $\mathbb{S}^2$ and $\mathbb{T}^2$ are not diffeomorphic

Show, using the Gauss-Bonnet theorem, that $\mathbb{S}^2$ and $\mathbb{T}^2$ are not diffeomorphic. I find this exercise a bit strange, since by $\chi(\mathbb{S}^2)\neq \chi(\mathbb{T}^2)$ we obviously have that $\mathbb{S}^2$ and $\mathbb{T}^2$…
TheGeekGreek
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Line element vs Riemannian metric

$\newcommand{\Reals}{\mathbf{R}}$I wanted to check what the difference between $(ds)^2$ (line element) and $g$ (Riemannian metric) is. Clearly $g_p$ is defined as $T_pM \times T_pM \to…
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Isometry between two moldes for hyperbolic space

Let $\mathbb{H}^n$ be the usual hyperbolic space $\mathbb{H}^n := \{(x_1,\ldots,x_n) : x_n > 0\}$ with metric $g = \frac{1}{x_n^2}\sum_{i=1}^ndx_i^2.$ Lets construct another model: $H_{-1}^n := \{(x_0,\ldots,x_n) : x_0 = \sqrt{1 +…
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Fréchet barycenter on circle

Let $(x_i)$ be $n$ points a the circle. Let $F(x)=\sum_i d(x,x_i)^2$ be a function on the circle. When it exists, let $B(x_1,\ldots,x_n)=\operatorname{argmin}(F)$. $B$ is called the Fréchet barycenter. When things are well defined, is the Fréchet…
Chevallier
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Construct the paper model on $\mathbb{R}^2$

I am studying Peterson's book of riemannian geometry and he gives me a metric: $$g = dt^2 + a^2t^2d\theta^2$$ and asks me to identify which are the spaces when I change $a$. I never expected anything like this before, how can I think about this…
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Evolution equation of the Christoffel symbols

I am reviewing the paper "On Harnack's Inequality and Entropy For Gaussian Curvature Flow" by Bennet Chow. On page 473 Lemma 3.1 (vii), Chow managed to find the evolution equation for Christoffel symbol. In particular, he says that we have the…
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Every length minimizing $\mathcal C^1$ curve is a geodesic.

Let $(M,g)$ a manifold and $\gamma (t)$ for $t\in [a,b]$ a curve $\mathcal C^1$ the is minimizing the length. Then, if $p=\gamma (t_0)$ and $q=\gamma (t_1)$, then $\gamma $ is also minimizing the length of $p$ and $q$ for all $a\leq t_0
user330587
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If $\gamma _1$ and $\gamma _2$ are two different geodesic from $x$ to $y$, then, there is no minimal geodesic from $x$ to $z$

Let $(M,g)$ a Riemanian manifold and $x,y\in M$. Suppose there is two different geodesic $\gamma _1,\gamma _2$ that connect $x$ and $y$. Show that no one of these two geodesic are minimizing after $y$. The solution goes like : By contradiction,…
user330587
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how to define complete pseudo-riemannian manifold

In riemannin geometry, we define distance function by minimizing the length of curves. However we have nondefinite metric on psedu-riemannian manifold, so we cannot define a length of a curve as riemannian…
gaoxinge
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Questions about $1-$ form $\beta$ on $(M,\alpha)$ such that satisfies $\nabla\beta(X,Y)=|| \beta^\sharp||^2 \alpha(X,Y)-\beta(X)\beta(Y)$

Suppose Riemanian manifold $(M,\alpha)$ and 1-form $\beta$ such that $$\nabla\beta(X,Y)=|| \beta^\sharp||^2 \alpha(X,Y)-\beta(X)\beta(Y)$$ and Questions are : $1.$ $\beta $ is closed and it has local form $\beta=df$ $2.$ $\beta^\sharp$ has a…
M.H
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Covariant derivative of a tensor field

Let $F$ be a tensor field of type $(0,2)$ on a Riemannian manifold (like a Riemannian metric). Let $\gamma$ be a geodesic on $M$ and let $e(t)$ be a parallel transport along $\gamma$. I want to find a formula for $\frac{d}{dt}…
Max
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Parallel Transport and Affine Connection

$M$ is is a Riemannian Manifold with an affine connection $\nabla$, $X$ is a vector field of which the restriction on the curve $\gamma$ is parallel. Fix some point $\gamma (t) $ on the curve. Is it true that for all $v\in T_{(\gamma(t))}M$,…
user136592
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Existence of geodesic frame

I have a question about the answer to this question I don't know how to get the second equality in $$\nabla_{E_i} E_j (\gamma(t)) = \nabla_{\gamma'} E_j (\gamma(t)) = 0$$ I tried to use the fact that the covariant derivative of the geodesic…
user136592
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