# Perturbation to the flat space metric

from the geodesic equation for non-relativistic case where $$v_i\ll c$$

$$\frac{dx^i}{dt}\ll1,{\rm for }\ c =1$$

$$\frac{dx^i}{d\tau}\ll\frac{dt}{d\tau}$$using this the geodesic equation for proper time $$\tau$$ becomes $$\frac{d^2x^\mu}{d\tau^2}+\tau{^\mu}_{00}(\frac{dt}{d\tau})^2=0.$$ if $$g_{ij}\ne f(t)$$ then $$\tau^{\mu}_{00}=-g^{\mu s}\frac{d g_{00}}{2d x^s}.$$Now if we assume that the curved part of the metric is a perturbation to the flat part

$$g_{ij}=\eta_{ij}({\rm flat})+h_{ij}({\rm perturbation})$$

Can anyone please help in how to calculate $$g^{ij}$$ if off diagonal terms are non-zero (for general case)?

• What do you exactly mean by "calculating" $g^{ij}$? Are you asking how to obtain the raised-index $g^{ij}$ given you have the lowered-index $g_{ij}$? Or, are you asking how to obtain either of them in the first place? – Dvij D.C. Feb 23 '19 at 18:13
• He is askin how to obtain either of them, i think. – Žarko Tomičić Feb 23 '19 at 18:32
• See my answer here physics.stackexchange.com/a/330277/133418 – Avantgarde Feb 23 '19 at 21:38