Gravitational energy in stationary spacetimes

Details Gravitational energy in stationary spacetimes Gravitational energy in stationary spacetimes

2006-10-11

arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0610052v1

Class.Quant.Grav. 23 (2006) 7111-7128

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

Accepted for publication in Class. Quantum Grav

Scientific paper

10.1088/0264-9381/23/23/030

Static observers remain on Killing-vector world lines and measure the rest-mass+kinetic energies of particles moving past them, and the flux of that mechanical energy through space and time. The total mechanical energy is the total flux through a spacelike cut at one time. The difference between the total mass-energy and the total mechanical energy is the total gravitational energy, which we prove to be negative for certain classes of systems. For spherical systems, Misner, Thorne and Wheeler define the total gravitational energy this way. To obtain the gravitational energy density analogous to that of electromagnetism we first use Einstein's equations with integrations by parts to remove second order derivatives. Next we apply a conformal transformation to reexpress the scalar 3-curvature of the 3-space. The resulting density is non-local. We repeat the argument for mechanical energies as measured by stationary observers moving orthogonally to constant time slices like the "zero angular momentum" observers of Bardeen who exist even within ergospheres.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Gravitational energy in stationary spacetimes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Gravitational energy in stationary spacetimes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gravitational energy in stationary spacetimes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-578731