(January 10, 2016 at 7:08 pm)Quantum Wrote:(January 10, 2016 at 7:00 pm)Jehanne Wrote: I am trying to understand general relativity at a very basic level, but I want a quantitative understanding as opposed to merely a qualitative one, although, the latter certainly is helpful with respect to the former.
Aaaah, very good. I assume you know some calculus?
The important - and defining - thing about tensors in GR is how they change under changes of coordinates x^mu to x'^mu. It is probably best if you start by considering how vectors (i.e. 1-tensors with an upper index), let us call it v^mu, change when you go from coordinates x^mu to x'^mu(x).
The rule is relatively straightforward and involves the derivatives of x' with respect to x. You can find it anywhere, e.g. wiki.
More general upper index tensors are then exactly the same, except that each of the indices gets the same treatment.
Okay, I'll have a look and keep this thread alive with questions! Thanks!!
