# Chain rule for covariant derivative?

Does a chain rule for the covariant derivative exist so that we can evaluate an expression like $$\nabla_c\sqrt{t_{ab}}?$$

where $$t_{ab}$$ are tensor components?

More generally, how do we take the covariant derivative of a function of tensor components $$f(t_{ab})$$, i.e. $$\nabla_c f(t_{ab})?$$

• $\sqrt{t_{ab}}$ are not components of a tensor so your expression is physically meaningless. – G. Smith Mar 19 at 17:57
• @G.Smith why exactly is it not a tensor – Shashaank Mar 19 at 19:10
• @Shashaank It doesn’t satisfy the transformation rule for a tensor with two covariant indices. – G. Smith Mar 19 at 20:34
• @G.Smith I'm thinking of taking the covariant derivative $\nabla_c \sqrt{g}$ where $g$ is the metric determinant. How can I use some sort of chain rule to take care of the square root? – TaeNyFan Mar 20 at 11:15
• Yes. The chain rule works for covariant derivatives. As far as I know, it works for any kind of derivative. – G. Smith Mar 20 at 21:14

There is a chain rule if the object is a tensor formed by tensor products and contractions, for instance $$\nabla_c (A^{bde}B_{bdf})=B_{bdf}\nabla_c A^{bde}+A^{bde}\nabla_c B_{bdf}.$$ Something like $$f(t_{ab})$$ is in general not a tensor so the action of the connection coefficient part of the covariant derivative is undefined on it.