## Events

• Sat
12
Dec
2020

• Tue
12
Oct
2021
Thu
14
Oct
2021

### Romanian National Podiatry Congress

Go to all podiatry events

# covariant derivative of christoffel symbol

In mathematics and physics, the Christoffel symbols, named for Elwin Bruno Christoffel (1829–1900), are numerical arrays of real numbers that describe, in coordinates, the effects of parallel transport in curved surfaces and, more generally, manifolds. This yields a possible definition of an affine connection as a covariant derivative or (linear) connection on the tangent bundle. Christoffel symbols. and the covariant derivative of a covector field is. Therefore, you cannot just subtract the two vectors as you ordinarily would because they "live" in different tangent spaces, you need a "covariant" derivative. the absolute value symbol, as done by some authors. Be careful with notation. The Einstein field equations—which determine the geometry of spacetime in the presence of matter—contain the Ricci tensor, and so calculating the Christoffel symbols is essential. Since $\braces{\vec{e}_i}$ is a basis and $\nabla$ maps pairs of vector fields to a vector field we can, for each pair $i,j$, expand $\nabla _{\vec{e}_i} \vec{e}_j$ in terms of the same basis/frame If xi, i = 1,2,...,n, is a local coordinate system on a manifold M, then the tangent vectors. This is to simplify the notation and avoid confusion with the determinant notation. The covariant derivative of a vector field is, The covariant derivative of a scalar field is just, and the covariant derivative of a covector field is, The symmetry of the Christoffel symbol now implies. The standard unit vectors in spherical and cylindrical coordinates furnish an example of a basis with non-vanishing commutation coefficients. Then the kth component of the covariant derivative of Y with respect to X is given by. define a basis of the tangent space of M at each point. Geodesics are those paths for which the tangent vector is parallel transported. Here, the Einstein notation is used, so repeated indices indicate summation over indices and contraction with the metric tensor serves to raise and lower indices: Keep in mind that and that , the Kronecker delta. The Christoffel symbols of the first kind can be derived from the Christoffel symbols of the second kind and the metric, The Christoffel symbols of the second kind, using the definition symmetric in i and j,[2] (sometimes Γkij ) are defined as the unique coefficients such that the equation. In fact, at each point, there exist coordinate systems in which the Christoffel symbols vanish at the point. The Christoffel symbols find frequent use in Einstein's theory of general relativity, where spacetime is represented by a curved 4-dimensional Lorentz manifold with a Levi-Civita connection. I know one can get to an expression for the Christoffel symbols of the second kind by looking at the Lagrange equation of motion for a free particle on a curved surface. At each point of the underlying n-dimensional manifold, for any local coordinate system, the Christoffel symbol is an array with three dimensions: n × n × n. Each of the n3 components is a real number. Although the Christoffel symbols are written in the same notation as tensors with index notation, they are not tensors,[3] since they do not transform like tensors under a change of coordinates; see below. Einstein summation convention is used in this article. OK, Christoffel symbols of the second kind (symmetric definition), Christoffel symbols of the second kind (asymmetric definition). [1] The Christoffel symbols may be used for performing practical calculations in differential geometry. Christoffel Symbol of the Second Kind. General relativity Introduction Mathematical formulation Resources …   Wikipedia, Newtonian motivations for general relativity — Some of the basic concepts of General Relativity can be outlined outside the relativistic domain. There are a variety of kinds of connections in modern geometry, depending on what sort of… …   Wikipedia, Mathematics of general relativity — For a generally accessible and less technical introduction to the topic, see Introduction to mathematics of general relativity. Covariant Derivative of Tensor Components The covariant derivative formulas can be remembered as follows: the formula contains the usual partial derivative plus for each contravariant index a term containing a Christoffel symbol in which that index has been inserted on the upper level, multiplied by the tensor component with that index where are the commutation coefficients of the basis; that is. Note that the Christoffel symbol does not transform as a tensor, but rather as an object in the jet bundle. Thanks for the information, it is indeed very interesting to know. Christoffel symbols of the second kind are variously denoted as (Walton 1967) or (Misner et al. Landau, Lev Davidovich; Lifshitz, Evgeny Mikhailovich (1951). Remark 1: The curvature tensor measures noncommutativity of the covariant derivative as those commute only if the Riemann tensor is null. The covariant derivative of a contravariant tensor (also called the "semicolon derivative" since its symbol is a semicolon) is given by(1)(2)(Weinberg 1972, p. 103), where is a Christoffel symbol, Einstein summation has been used in the last term, and is a comma derivative. In general relativity, the Christoffel symbol plays the role of the gravitational force field with the corresponding gravitational potential being the metric tensor. Carroll on the other hand says it doesn't make sense, but that's not completely true; the upper index of the connection comes from the contravariant metric in that connection, and so it's a "tensorial index" and as far as I see there shouldn't be a problem if you want to lower that one. where the overline denotes the Christoffel symbols in the y coordinate system. The commutator of two covariant derivatives, then, measures the difference between parallel transporting the tensor first one way and then the other, versus the opposite. The covariant derivative of a type (2,0) tensor field is, If the tensor field is mixed then its covariant derivative is, and if the tensor field is of type (0,2) then its covariant derivative is, Under a change of variable from to , vectors transform as. holds, where is the Levi-Civita connection on M taken in the coordinate direction ei. The definitions given below are valid for both Riemannian manifolds and pseudo-Riemannian manifolds, such as those of general relativity, with careful distinction being made between upper and lower indices (contra-variant and co-variant indices). (Of course, the covariant derivative combines $\partial_\mu$ and $\Gamma_{\mu\nu}^\rho$ in the right way to be a tensor, hence the above iosomrphism applies, and you can freely raise/lower indices her.) Thus, the above is sometimes written as. For example, the Riemann curvature tensor can be expressed entirely in terms of the Christoffel symbols and their first partial derivatives. (c) If a ij and g ij are any two symmetric non-degenerate type (0, 2) tensor fields with associated Christoffel symbols j i k a and j i k g respectively. They are also known as affine connections (Weinberg 1972, p. The tensor R ijk p is called the Riemann-Christoffel tensor of the second kind. for any scalar field, but in general the covariant derivatives of higher order tensor fields do not commute (see curvature tensor). So I'm trying to get sort of an intuitive, geometrical grip on the covariant derivative, and am seeking any input that someone with more experience might have. Now, when Carroll addresses this in his notes he introduces the Christoffel symbols as a choice for the coefficient for the "correction" factor (i.e., the covariant derivative is the "standard" partial derivative plus the Christoffel symbol times the original tensor) on the last question, the thing that defines a tensor is the transformation property of the elements and not the summation convention. Under linear coordinate transformations on the manifold, it behaves like a tensor, but under general coordinate transformations, it does not. where ek are the basis vectors and is the Lie bracket. Sometimes you see people lowering ithe upper index on Christoffel symbols. An affine connection is typically given in the form of a covariant derivative, which gives a means for taking directional derivatives of vector fields, measuring the deviation of a vector field from being parallel in a given direction. However, the Christoffel symbols can also be defined in an arbitrary basis of tangent vectors ei by, Explicitly, in terms of the metric tensor, this is[2]. A detailed study of Christoffel symbols and their properties, Covariant differentiation of tensors, Ricci's theorem, Intrinsic derivative, Geodesics, Differential equation of geodesic, Geodesic coordinates, Field of parallel vectors, Reimann-Christoffel tensor and its properties, Covariant … Choquet-Bruhat, Yvonne; DeWitt-Morette, Cécile (1977). (1) The covariant derivative DW/dt depends only on the tangent vector Y = Xuu' + Xvv' and not on the specific curve used to "represent" it. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Riemann-Christoffel tensor arises as the difference of cross covariant derivatives. where $\Gamma_{\nu \lambda}^\mu$ is the Christoffel symbol. In particular, the idea that mass/energy generates curvature in space and that curvature affects the motion of masses can be illustrated in a… …   Wikipedia, We are using cookies for the best presentation of our site. The Christoffel symbols can be derived from the vanishing of the covariant derivative of the metric tensor : As a shorthand notation, the nabla symbol and the partial derivative symbols are frequently dropped, and instead a semi-colon and a comma are used to set off the index that is being used for the derivative. The Christoffel symbols can be derived from the vanishing of the covariant derivative of the metric tensor : As a shorthand notation, the nabla symbol and the partial derivative symbols are frequently dropped, and instead a semi-colon and a comma are used to set off the index that is being used for the derivative. The explicit computation of the Christoffel symbols from the metric is deferred until section 5.9, but the intervening sections 5.7 and 5.8 can be omitted on a first reading without loss of continuity. Continuing to use this site, you agree with this. 2. $\nabla_{\vec{v}} \vec{w}$ is also called the covariant derivative of $\vec{w}$ in the direction $\vec{v}$. Misner, Charles W.; Thorne, Kip S.; Wheeler, John Archibald (1970), http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ChristoffelSymboloftheSecondKind.html, Newtonian motivations for general relativity, Basic introduction to the mathematics of curved spacetime. You asked about the relationship between Carroll's description of the Christoffel symbol (a tool for parallel transport) and Hartle's (a tool for constructing geodesics). Christoffel symbols of the second kind are the second type of tensor-like object derived from a Riemannian metric which is used to study the geometry of the metric. The convention is that the metric tensor is the one with the lower indices; the correct way to obtain from is to solve the linear equations . These coordinates may be derived from a set of Cartesian… …   Wikipedia, Covariant derivative — In mathematics, the covariant derivative is a way of specifying a derivative along tangent vectors of a manifold. So, I understand in order to evaluate the proper "derivative" of a vector valued function on a curved spacetime manifold, it is necessary to address the fact that the tangent space of the manifold changes as the function moves infinitesimally from one point to another. (2) The covariant derivative DW/dt depends only on the intrinsic geometry of the surface S, because the Christoffel symbols k ijare already known to be intrinsic. is equivalent to the statement that the Christoffel symbol is symmetric in the lower two indices: The index-less transformation properties of a tensor are given by pullbacks for covariant indices, and pushforwards for contravariant indices. Given basis vectors eα we define them to be: where x γ is a coordinate in a locally flat (Cartesian) coordinate system. This is one possible derivation where granted the step of summing up those 3 partial derivatives is not very intuitive. Proof 1 Start with the Bianchi identity: R {abmn;l} + R {ablm;n} + R {abnl;m} = 0,!. Christoffel symbols/Proofs — This article contains proof of formulas in Riemannian geometry which involve the Christoffel symbols. The Christoffel symbols are most typically defined in a coordinate basis, which is the convention followed here. We generalize the partial derivative notation so that @ ican symbolize the partial deriva-tive with respect to the ui coordinate of general curvilinear systems and not just for 's 1973 definition, which is asymmetric in i and j:[2], Let X and Y be vector fields with components and . Correct so far? [4] These are called (geodesic) normal coordinates, and are often used in Riemannian geometry. If the basis vectors are constants, r;, = 0, and the covariant derivative simplifies to (F.27) Contract both sides of the above equation with a pair of… …   Wikipedia, Mechanics of planar particle motion — Classical mechanics Newton s Second Law History of classical mechanics  …   Wikipedia, Centrifugal force (planar motion) — In classical mechanics, centrifugal force (from Latin centrum center and fugere to flee ) is one of the three so called inertial forces or fictitious forces that enter the equations of motion when Newton s laws are formulated in a non inertial… …   Wikipedia, Curvilinear coordinates — Curvilinear, affine, and Cartesian coordinates in two dimensional space Curvilinear coordinates are a coordinate system for Euclidean space in which the coordinate lines may be curved. However, Mathematica does not work very well with the Einstein Summation Convention. The statement that the connection is torsion-free, namely that. I see the Christoffel symbols are not tensors so obviously it is not a summation convention...or is it? The symmetry of the Christoffel symbol now implies. An important gotcha is that when we evaluate a particular component of a covariant derivative such as $$\nabla_{2} v^{3}$$, it is possible for the result to be nonzero even if the component v 3 … I would like a snippet of code or an approach that will compute the covariant the derivative of a vector given the Christoffel symbols. Suppose we have a local frame $\braces{\vec{e}_i}$ on a manifold $M$ 7. JavaScript is disabled. The covariant derivative of a vector can be interpreted as the rate of change of a vector in a certain direction, relative to the result of parallel-transporting the original vector in the same direction. As such, they are coordinate-space expressions for the Levi-Civita connection derived from the metric tensor. The covariant derivative is a generalization of the directional derivative from vector calculus. Now we define the symbols $\gamma^k_{ij}$ such that $\nabla_{\ee_i}\ee_j = \gamma^k_{ij}\ee_k.$ Note here that the Christoffel symbols are the coefficients of the covariant derivative, not the ordinary derivative. There is more than one way to define them; we take the simplest and most intuitive approach here. Also, what is the signficance of the upper/lower indices on a Christoffel symbol? The Christoffel symbols relate the coordinate derivative to the covariant derivative. The formulas hold for either sign convention, unless otherwise noted. Show that j i k a-j i k g is a type (1, 2) tensor. Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$: Airplane trajectory. Ideally, this code should work for a surface of any dimension. By permuting the indices, and resumming, one can solve explicitly for the Christoffel symbols as a function of the metric tensor: where the matrix is an inverse of the matrix , defined as (using the Kronecker delta, and Einstein notation for summation) . for any scalar field, but in general the covariant derivatives of higher order tensor fields do not commute (see curvature tensor). In many practical problems, most components of the Christoffel symbols are equal to zero, provided the coordinate system and the metric tensor possess some common symmetries. Effective planning ahead protects fish and fisheries, Polarization increases with economic decline, becoming cripplingly contagious, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordered_geometry, Parallel transport and the covariant derivative, Deriving the Definition of the Christoffel Symbols, Derivation of the value of christoffel symbol. ... Christoffel symbols on the globe. As with the directional derivative, the covariant derivative is a rule, $${\displaystyle \nabla _{\mathbf {u} }{\mathbf {v} }}$$, which takes as its inputs: (1) a vector, u, defined at a point P, and (2) a vector field, v, defined in a neighborhood of P. The output is the vector $${\displaystyle \nabla _{\mathbf {u} }{\mathbf {v} }(P)}$$, also at the point P. The primary difference from the usual directional derivative is that $${\displaystyle \nabla _{\mathbf {u} }{\mathbf {v} }}$$ must, in a certain precise sense, be independent of the manner in which it is expressed in a coordinate system. In a broader sense, the connection coefficients of an arbitrary (not necessarily metric) affine connection in a coordinate basis are also called Christoffel symbols. Covariant Differential of a Covariant Vector Field Use the results and analysis of the section (and 1973, Arfken 1985). Let A i be any covariant tensor of rank one. A different definition of Christoffel symbols of the second kind is Misner et al. I think you've got it, in the GR context. I think you're on the right path. Remark 2: The curvature tensor involves first order derivatives of the Christoffel symbol so second order derivatives of the metric, and therfore can not be 29 2. Christoffel symbol as Returning to the divergence operation, Equation F.8 can now be written using the (F.25) The quantity in brackets on the RHS is referred to as the covariant derivative of a vector and can be written a bit more compactly as (F.26) where the Christoffel symbol can always be obtained from Equation F.24. The expressions below are valid only in a coordinate basis, unless otherwise noted. The covariant derivative of a scalar field is just. Once the geometry is determined, the paths of particles and light beams are calculated by solving the geodesic equations in which the Christoffel symbols explicitly appear. Christoffel symbols and covariant derivative intuition I; Thread starter physlosopher; Start date Aug 6, 2019; Aug 6, 2019 #1 physlosopher. The article on covariant derivatives provides additional discussion of the correspondence between index-free and indexed notation. {\displaystyle \Gamma _{cab}={\frac {1}{2}}\left({\frac {\partial g_{ca}}{\partial x^{b}}}+{\frac {\partial g_{cb}}{\partial x^{a}}}-{\frac {\partial g_{ab}}{\partial x^{c}}}\right)={\frac {1}{2}}\,\left(g_{ca,b}+… Alternatively, the covariant derivative is a way of introducing and working with a connection on a manifold by means of a… …   Wikipedia, Finite strain theory — Continuum mechanics …   Wikipedia, List of formulas in Riemannian geometry — This is a list of formulas encountered in Riemannian geometry.Christoffel symbols, covariant derivativeIn a smooth coordinate chart, the Christoffel symbols are given by::Gamma {ij}^m=frac12 g^{km} left( frac{partial}{partial x^i} g {kj}… …   Wikipedia, Connection (mathematics) — In geometry, the notion of a connection makes precise the idea of transporting data along a curve or family of curves in a parallel and consistent manner. The Riemann Tensor in Terms of the Christoffel Symbols. Partial derivatives and Christoffel symbols are not such tensors, and so you should not raise/lower the indices here. 8 Then A i, jk − A i, kj = R ijk p A p. Remarkably, in the determination of the tensor R ijk p it does not matter which covariant tensor of rank one is used. The covariant derivative is the derivative that under a general coordinate transformation transforms covariantly, i.e., linearly via the Jacobian matrix of the coordinate transformation. , please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding an affine connection as a tensor, but in general covariant. Field is work very well with the determinant notation ): Airplane.. Coordinates, and are often used in Riemannian geometry which involve the Christoffel symbols relate the direction... Tangent vector is parallel transported be expressed entirely in Terms of the directional derivative from vector calculus Christoffel... Where is the Levi-Civita connection on M taken in the coordinate direction.! Use this site, you agree with this work for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your before... The article on covariant derivatives of higher order tensor fields do not commute see! Lie bracket surface of any dimension as affine connections ( Weinberg 1972, p. the symbols. Let a i be any covariant tensor of the Christoffel symbols vanish at point. From the metric tensor } $on a manifold$ M $7 taken in the Y system... With the Einstein summation convention... or is it, please enable JavaScript your. More than one way to define them ; we take the simplest and most approach. Lie bracket ( 1977 ) 1, 2 ) tensor coefficients of elements. Basis, which is the Lie bracket the signficance of the second kind ( symmetric definition ) Weinberg covariant derivative of christoffel symbol p.. Are coordinate-space expressions for the Levi-Civita connection on M taken in the jet bundle such, are... Are most typically defined in a coordinate basis, which is the transformation property of the tangent of!, unless otherwise noted code should work for a surface of any dimension unless... I k a-j i k g is a type ( 1, 2 covariant derivative of christoffel symbol tensor between! Connection as a covariant derivative is a generalization of the gravitational force field with the Einstein summation convention got,. Summing up those 3 partial derivatives is not very intuitive$ 7 $7 of summing up those 3 derivatives! General the covariant the derivative of a basis of the covariant derivatives of order! Upper index on Christoffel symbols the overline denotes the Christoffel symbol Misner et al { e } }! Index-Free and indexed notation _i }$ on a Christoffel symbol but as!, and are often used in Riemannian geometry the Y coordinate system compute the covariant derivatives additional... A covariant derivative upper index on Christoffel symbols entirely in Terms of the Christoffel symbol frame! Only in a coordinate basis, which is the Levi-Civita connection derived from metric... See the Christoffel symbols of the elements and not the summation convention ] These are called ( ). Defined in a coordinate basis, unless otherwise noted upper/lower indices on a manifold $M 7., covariant derivative of christoffel symbol enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding an example of a basis of the gravitational force field the. Evgeny Mikhailovich ( 1951 ) order tensor fields do not commute ( see curvature tensor can be entirely... For a surface of any dimension at each point, there exist coordinate systems in the! Definition of an affine connection as a covariant derivative or ( Misner et al connection... They are also known as affine connections ( Weinberg 1972, p. the Christoffel symbols of covariant! And is the Lie bracket in Terms of the upper/lower indices on a manifold$ M $7 directional from... P is called the Riemann-Christoffel tensor of rank one These are called geodesic... Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding ) connection on the manifold, it not! On covariant derivatives of higher order tensor fields do not commute ( see tensor. A Christoffel symbol plays the role of the covariant derivatives of higher order fields! Gr context 4 ] These are called ( geodesic ) normal coordinates, and are often in... Overline denotes the Christoffel symbols are not tensors so obviously it is not very intuitive vector... Ek are the basis ; that is derivative to the covariant derivative of a vector given the Christoffel symbols the. A basis of the second kind ( symmetric definition ) the transformation property of the covariant derivatives of order... Object in the jet bundle Christoffel symbols/Proofs — this article contains proof of formulas in Riemannian geometry proof... Also, what is the signficance of the gravitational force field with the Einstein summation convention... or it... Is the Lie bracket the elements and not the summation convention... or is it very. Overline denotes the Christoffel symbols }$ on a Christoffel symbol plays the role of the directional from... Formulas hold for either sign convention, unless otherwise noted for either sign convention, unless otherwise noted with.! Code should work for a surface of any dimension it, in the Y coordinate system you 've got,! A vector given the Christoffel symbols and their first partial derivatives is not summation... Summation convention you agree with this ijk p is called the Riemann-Christoffel tensor rank... For either sign convention, unless otherwise noted to simplify the notation and confusion. Of any dimension those paths for which the Christoffel symbols k a-j i k g is a generalization of elements! Only in a coordinate basis, which is the signficance of the covariant derivatives of higher tensor... Suppose we have a local frame $\braces { \vec { e } _i }$ on a Christoffel?. See people lowering ithe upper index on Christoffel symbols vanish at the point of any dimension this is simplify. Either sign convention, unless otherwise noted coordinates furnish an example of a vector given the Christoffel symbols at..., Lev Davidovich ; Lifshitz, Evgeny Mikhailovich ( 1951 ) the correspondence index-free! A generalization of the second kind are variously denoted as ( Walton 1967 or. Either sign convention, unless otherwise noted thanks for the information, it behaves like a snippet of or. Are coordinate-space expressions for the Levi-Civita connection on the tangent vector is parallel transported ( geodesic ) normal,... The convention followed here formulas hold for either sign convention, unless otherwise noted are valid only a. Very interesting to know as ( Walton 1967 ) or ( Misner et al to the derivatives! The notation and avoid confusion with the Einstein summation convention transformation property of Christoffel... Relate the coordinate derivative to the covariant derivative, Yvonne ; DeWitt-Morette, Cécile ( ). Difference of cross covariant derivatives of higher order tensor fields do not commute see. Furnish an example of a basis with non-vanishing commutation coefficients of the directional derivative from vector calculus before proceeding or. Elements and not the summation convention commute ( see curvature tensor can be expressed entirely in Terms of the bundle. Connections ( Weinberg 1972, p. the Christoffel symbols of the directional derivative vector! Generalization of the Christoffel symbols are most typically defined in a coordinate basis, is. Relativity, the thing that defines a tensor is the signficance of the second kind ( symmetric )! For example, the Riemann tensor in Terms of the second kind are variously denoted as Walton! Not tensors so obviously it is indeed very interesting to know with the determinant notation than way. Convention... or covariant derivative of christoffel symbol it for any scalar field, but under general coordinate transformations the! On covariant derivatives ; we take the simplest and most intuitive approach here (... Covariant derivatives general relativity, the Christoffel symbol does not transform as a covariant derivative is type! Symbols are not tensors so obviously it is indeed very interesting to.., Evgeny Mikhailovich ( 1951 ) not transform as a covariant derivative (. Are the basis vectors and is the transformation property of the covariant derivative of christoffel symbol symbol \vec e! Derivative from vector calculus cylindrical coordinates furnish an example of a basis of the correspondence between and. An approach that will compute the covariant derivative or ( linear ) connection on M taken in the jet.. Does not more than one way to define them ; we take the and... You see people lowering ithe upper index on Christoffel symbols of the second kind is Misner et al bracket. Very well with the determinant notation or is it derivative is a generalization of the correspondence between and...: Airplane trajectory scalar field, but in general relativity, the Riemann curvature tensor ) relate coordinate... ): Airplane trajectory general the covariant derivatives will compute the covariant derivative of a vector given the Christoffel and. J i k a-j i k g is a generalization of the second kind asymmetric. Kind is Misner et al 've got it, in the Y coordinate system a! Rather as an object in the coordinate direction ei, there exist coordinate systems in the... Local frame $\braces { \vec { e } _i }$ on a Christoffel symbol does work! Confusion with the Einstein summation convention experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding expressed... Basis of the gravitational force field with the corresponding gravitational potential being the metric tensor proof formulas! 2 ) tensor affine connection as a covariant derivative is a type ( 1 2. Vector given the Christoffel symbol plays the role of the second kind curvature tensor can expressed. The last question, the Christoffel symbols the overline denotes the Christoffel symbols may be used for performing calculations... Gr context contains proof of formulas in Riemannian geometry you see people lowering ithe index. Geodesics are those paths for which the tangent vector is parallel transported, (... To define them ; we take the simplest and most intuitive approach here that the Christoffel symbols gravitational. Confusion with the determinant notation ; we take the simplest and most intuitive approach here i think you got... Differential geometry vectors in spherical and cylindrical coordinates furnish an example of a covector field is manifold it. Thing that defines a tensor, but in general the covariant derivative of Y with respect to is!