2
$\begingroup$

it is known that variation is defined by following:

enter image description here

but could anyone tell me why the integral symbol disappears after following functional derivative?

enter image description here

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

9
$\begingroup$

Define functional $$ G[g]~:=~\int \!d^4x ~\sqrt{-g(x)}.\tag{0}$$ Method 1: $$\begin{align} \int \!d^4x ~\color{red}{\frac{\delta G[g]}{\delta g_{\mu\nu}(x)}} \delta g_{\mu\nu}(x) ~=~&\delta G[g]\cr ~\stackrel{(0)}{=}~& \int \!d^4x ~\color{red}{\frac{\partial\sqrt{-g(x)}}{\partial g_{\mu\nu}(x)}} \delta g_{\mu\nu}(x).\end{align} \tag{1}$$ Method 2: $$\begin{align} \color{red}{\frac{\delta G[g]}{\delta g_{\mu\nu}(y)}} ~\stackrel{(0)}{=}~& \int \!d^4x ~\frac{\delta\sqrt{-g(x)}}{\delta g_{\mu\nu}(y)}\cr ~=~& \int \!d^4x ~\frac{\partial\sqrt{-g(x)}}{\partial g_{\kappa\lambda}(x)}\frac{\delta g_{\kappa\lambda}(x)}{\delta g_{\mu\nu}(y)} \cr ~=~& \int \!d^4x ~\frac{\partial\sqrt{-g(x)}}{\partial g_{\mu\nu}(x)}\delta^4(x\!-\!y) \cr ~=~&\color{red}{\frac{\partial\sqrt{-g(y)}}{\partial g_{\mu\nu}(y)}}.\end{align}\tag{2}$$

$\endgroup$
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.