# Spacetime symmetries > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Spacetime_symmetries > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Spacetime_symmetries.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime_symmetries > Source revision: 1339588942 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Type of symmetry in physics For the notation, see [Ricci calculus](/source/Ricci_calculus). This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) **Spacetime symmetries** are features of [spacetime](/source/Spacetime) that can be described as exhibiting some form of [symmetry](/source/Symmetry). The role of [symmetry in physics](/source/Symmetry_in_physics) is important in simplifying solutions to many problems. Spacetime symmetries are used in the study of [exact solutions](/source/Exact_solutions) of [Einstein's field equations](/source/Einstein's_field_equations) of [general relativity](/source/General_relativity). Spacetime symmetries are distinguished from [internal symmetries](/source/Internal_symmetries). ## Physical motivation Physical problems are often investigated and solved by noticing features which have some form of symmetry. For example, in the [Schwarzschild solution](/source/Schwarzschild_solution), the role of [spherical symmetry](/source/Spherically_symmetric_spacetime) is important in [deriving the Schwarzschild solution](/source/Deriving_the_Schwarzschild_solution) and deducing the physical consequences of this symmetry (such as the nonexistence of gravitational radiation in a spherically pulsating star). In cosmological problems, symmetry plays a role in the [cosmological principle](/source/Cosmological_principle), which restricts the type of universes that are consistent with large-scale observations (e.g. the [Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) metric](/source/Friedmann%E2%80%93Lema%C3%AEtre%E2%80%93Robertson%E2%80%93Walker_metric)). Symmetries usually require some form of preserving property, the most important of which in general relativity include the following: - preserving geodesics of the spacetime - preserving the metric tensor - preserving the curvature tensor These and other symmetries will be discussed below in more detail. This preservation property which symmetries usually possess (alluded to above) can be used to motivate a useful definition of these symmetries themselves. ## Mathematical definition A rigorous definition of symmetries in general relativity has been given by Hall (2004). In this approach, the idea is to use (smooth) [vector fields](/source/Vector_field) whose [local flow diffeomorphisms](/source/Local_diffeomorphism) preserve some property of the [spacetime](/source/Spacetime). (Note that one should emphasize in one's thinking this is a diffeomorphism—a transformation on a **differential** element. The implication is that the behavior of objects with extent may not be as manifestly symmetric.) This preserving property of the diffeomorphisms is made precise as follows. A smooth vector field *X* on a spacetime *M* is said to *preserve* a smooth tensor *T* on *M* (or *T* is **invariant** under *X*) if, for each smooth [local flow](/source/Flow_(mathematics)#local_flow) diffeomorphism *ϕt* associated with *X*, the tensors *T* and *ϕ*∗ *t*(*T*) are equal on the domain of *ϕt*. This statement is equivalent to the more usable condition that the [Lie derivative](/source/Lie_derivative) of the [tensor](/source/Tensor) under the vector field vanishes: L X T = 0 {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}_{X}T=0} on *M*. This has the consequence that, given any two points *p* and *q* on *M*, the coordinates of *T* in a coordinate system around *p* are equal to the coordinates of *T* in a coordinate system around *q*. A *symmetry on the spacetime* is a smooth vector field whose local flow diffeomorphisms preserve some (usually geometrical) feature of the spacetime. The (geometrical) feature may refer to specific tensors (such as the metric, or the energy–momentum tensor) or to other aspects of the spacetime such as its geodesic structure. The vector fields are sometimes referred to as *collineations*, *symmetry vector fields* or just *symmetries*. The set of all symmetry vector fields on *M* forms a [Lie algebra](/source/Lie_algebra) under the [Lie bracket](/source/Lie_bracket_of_vector_fields) operation as can be seen from the identity: L [ X , Y ] T = L X ( L Y T ) − L Y ( L X T ) {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}_{[X,Y]}T={\mathcal {L}}_{X}({\mathcal {L}}_{Y}T)-{\mathcal {L}}_{Y}({\mathcal {L}}_{X}T)} the term on the right usually being written, with an [abuse of notation](/source/Abuse_of_notation), as [ L X , L Y ] T . {\displaystyle [{\mathcal {L}}_{X},{\mathcal {L}}_{Y}]T.} ## Killing symmetry Main article: [Killing vector field](/source/Killing_vector_field) A Killing vector field is one of the most important types of symmetries and is defined to be a smooth [vector field](/source/Vector_field) *X* that preserves the [metric tensor](/source/Metric_tensor) *g*: L X g = 0. {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}_{X}g=0.} This is usually written in the expanded form as: X a ; b + X b ; a = 0. {\displaystyle X_{a;b}+X_{b;a}=0.} Killing vector fields find extensive applications (including in [classical mechanics](/source/Classical_mechanics)) and are related to [conservation laws](/source/Conservation_laws). ## Homothetic symmetry Main article: [Homothetic vector field](/source/Homothetic_vector_field) A homothetic vector field is one which satisfies: L X g = 2 c g . {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}_{X}g=2cg.} where *c* is a real constant. Homothetic vector fields find application in the study of [singularities](/source/Gravitational_singularity) in general relativity. ## Affine symmetry Main article: [Affine vector field](/source/Affine_vector_field) An affine vector field is one that satisfies: ( L X g ) a b ; c = 0 {\displaystyle ({\mathcal {L}}_{X}g)_{ab;c}=0} An affine vector field preserves [geodesics](/source/Geodesic) and preserves the affine parameter. The above three vector field types are special cases of [projective vector fields](/source/Projective_vector_fields) which preserve geodesics without necessarily preserving the affine parameter. ## Conformal symmetry Main article: [Conformal vector field](/source/Conformal_vector_field) A conformal vector field is one which satisfies: L X g = ϕ g {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}_{X}g=\phi g} where *ϕ* is a smooth real-valued function on *M*. ## Curvature symmetry Main article: [Curvature collineation](/source/Curvature_collineation) A curvature collineation is a vector field which preserves the [Riemann tensor](/source/Riemann_tensor): L X R a b c d = 0 {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}_{X}{R^{a}}_{bcd}=0} where *Rabcd* are the components of the Riemann tensor. The [set](/source/Set_(mathematics)) of all [smooth](/source/Smooth_function) curvature collineations forms a [Lie algebra](/source/Lie_algebra) under the [Lie bracket](/source/Lie_bracket) operation (if the smoothness condition is dropped, the set of all curvature collineations need not form a Lie algebra). The Lie algebra is denoted by *CC*(*M*) and may be [infinite](/source/Infinity)-[dimensional](/source/Dimension). Every affine vector field is a curvature collineation. ## Matter symmetry Main article: [Matter collineation](/source/Matter_collineation) A less well-known form of symmetry concerns vector fields that preserve the energy–momentum tensor. These are variously referred to as matter collineations or matter symmetries and are defined by: L X T = 0 {\displaystyle {\mathcal {L}}_{X}T=0} where *T* is the covariant energy–momentum tensor. The intimate relation between geometry and physics may be highlighted here, as the vector field *X* is regarded as preserving certain physical quantities along the flow lines of *X*, this being true for any two observers. In connection with this, it may be shown that *every Killing vector field is a matter collineation* (by the Einstein field equations, with or without [cosmological constant](/source/Cosmological_constant)). Thus, given a solution of the EFE, *a vector field that preserves the metric necessarily preserves the corresponding energy–momentum tensor*. When the energy–momentum tensor represents a perfect fluid, every Killing vector field preserves the energy density, pressure and the fluid flow vector field. When the energy–momentum tensor represents an electromagnetic field, a Killing vector field does *not necessarily* preserve the electric and magnetic fields. ## Local and global symmetries Main articles: [Local symmetry](/source/Local_symmetry) and [Global symmetry](/source/Global_symmetry) This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010) ## Applications As mentioned at the start of this article, the main application of these symmetries occur in general relativity, where solutions of Einstein's equations may be classified by imposing some certain symmetries on the spacetime. ### Spacetime classifications Classifying solutions of the EFE constitutes a large part of general relativity research. Various approaches to classifying spacetimes, including using the [Segre classification](/source/Segre_classification) of the energy–momentum tensor or the [Petrov classification](/source/Petrov_classification) of the [Weyl tensor](/source/Weyl_tensor) have been studied extensively by many researchers, most notably Stephani *et al.* (2003). They also classify spacetimes using symmetry vector fields (especially Killing and homothetic symmetries). For example, Killing vector fields may be used to classify spacetimes, as there is a limit to the number of global, smooth Killing vector fields that a spacetime may possess (the maximum being ten for four-dimensional spacetimes). Generally speaking, the higher the dimension of the algebra of symmetry vector fields on a spacetime, the more symmetry the spacetime admits. For example, the Schwarzschild solution has a Killing algebra of dimension four (three spatial rotational vector fields and a time translation), whereas the [Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric](/source/Friedmann%E2%80%93Lema%C3%AEtre%E2%80%93Robertson%E2%80%93Walker_metric) (excluding the [Einstein static](/source/Einstein's_static_universe) subcase) has a Killing algebra of dimension six (three translations and three rotations). The Einstein static metric has a Killing algebra of dimension seven (the previous six plus a time translation). The assumption of a spacetime admitting a certain symmetry vector field can place restrictions on the spacetime. ### List of symmetric spacetimes See also: [List of spacetimes](/source/List_of_spacetimes) The following spacetimes have their own distinct articles in Wikipedia: - [Static spacetime](/source/Static_spacetime) - [Stationary spacetime](/source/Stationary_spacetime) - [Spherically symmetric spacetime](/source/Spherically_symmetric_spacetime) - [Minkowski Space](/source/Minkowski_Space) - [de Sitter space](/source/De_Sitter_space) - [Anti-de Sitter space](/source/Anti-de_Sitter_space) ## See also - [Derivations of the Lorentz transformations](/source/Derivations_of_the_Lorentz_transformations) - [Field (physics)](/source/Field_(physics)) – Physical quantities taking values at each point in space and time - [Killing tensor](/source/Killing_tensor) – Tensor in general relativity - [Noether's theorem](/source/Noether's_theorem) – Statement relating differentiable symmetries to conserved quantities - [Ricci decomposition](/source/Ricci_decomposition) - [Symmetry in physics](/source/Symmetry_in_physics) – Feature of a system that is preserved under some transformationPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets - [Symmetry in quantum mechanics](/source/Symmetry_in_quantum_mechanics) – Properties underlying modern physics - [Lie groups](/source/Lie_groups) – Group that is also a differentiable manifold with group operations that are smoothPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets - [Lorentz group](/source/Lorentz_group) – Lie group of Lorentz transformations - [Poincaré group](/source/Poincar%C3%A9_group) – Group of flat spacetime symmetries - [Bondi–Metzner–Sachs group](/source/Bondi%E2%80%93Metzner%E2%80%93Sachs_group) – Asymptotic symmetry group of General Relativity - [Ehlers group](/source/Ehlers_group) – Physics concept - [Geroch group](/source/Geroch_group) – Group of solutions to Einstein field equations ## References - Hall, Graham (2004). *Symmetries and Curvature Structure in General Relativity (World Scientific Lecture Notes in Physics)*. Singapore: World Scientific. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [981-02-1051-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/981-02-1051-5).. See *Section 10.1* for a definition of symmetries. - Stephani, Hans; Kramer, Dietrich; MacCallum, Malcolm; Hoenselaers, Cornelius; Herlt, Eduard (2003). *Exact Solutions of Einstein's Field Equations*. Cambridge: [Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-521-46136-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-521-46136-7). - Schutz, Bernard (1980). *Geometrical Methods of Mathematical Physics*. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-521-29887-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-521-29887-3).. See *Chapter 3* for properties of the Lie derivative and *Section 3.10* for a definition of invariance. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Spacetime symmetries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime_symmetries) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spacetime_symmetries?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.