How do I conceptualize the difference between the Weyl tensor and Riemann Curvature tensor?

Question

Currently, I am studying General Relativity from Sean Carroll's An Introduction to General Relativity: Spacetime and Geometry. In chapter 3 of this book, he develops the Riemann Curvature Tensor. I understand this tensor to be defined in two ways:

1. The failure of a vector to be parallel transported is related to this tensor.

2. The failure of the second covariant derivative to commute can be identified with this tensor.

Then, Carroll introduces the Ricci tensor $$R_{\mu \nu} = R^{\lambda}_{\mu \lambda \nu}$$ and the Ricci scalar $$R = R^{\mu}_{\mu} = g^{\mu \nu}R_{\mu \nu}.$$ Now, I see that the Ricci tensor and scalar contain the information about the trace of the Riemann tensor. Carroll then identifies the trace free parts with the Weyl tensor. He also says that the Ricci scalar fully characterizes the curvature. My question is why can we say that the Ricci scalar, which only contains information about the trace of the Riemann curvature tensor, fully characterizes curvature? When looking into this, I came across the following excerpt in wikipedia:

The Weyl tensor differs from the Riemann curvature tensor in that it does not convey information on how the volume of the body changes, but rather only how the shape of the body is distorted by the tidal force.

However, I do not see why this should be true given the way we obtained these tensors, nor do I see what this means for the context of curvature. Ultimately, I am wondering how I should conceptualize the difference between the Weyl tensor and Riemann Curvature tensor given the context of the question described above.

Answer 1

Actually, the Weyl Tensor is the conformally-invariant part of the Riemann curvature and determines the shape of the field of light cones. In effect, it gives you the speed of light, in so doing. The remainder of the Riemann curvature tensor can be expressed in terms of the Ricci tensor and curvature scalar as: $$R_{μνρσ} = C_{μνρσ} + \frac{R_{μρ}g_{νσ} - R_{μσ}g_{νρ} - R_{νρ}g_{μσ} + R_{νσ}g_{μρ}}{n - 2} + R\frac{g_{μσ}g_{νρ} - g_{μρ}g_{νσ}}{(n - 1)(n - 2)},$$ for geometries of dimension $n > 2$.

So: Riemann curvature tensor = Weyl tensor + matter sources, after substituting in Einstein's equation for the Ricci tensor and curvature scalar.

For $n = 3$, the Cotton-Work Tensor plays a significant role, and I think it's also needed to determine the shape of light cones in that case. I'm not sure.

The gravitational wave modes are those associated with the Weyl tensor. Here's a review article on the two tensors in relation to gravity waves: The Weyl Curvature Tensor, Cotton-York Tensor and Gravitational Waves: A covariant consideration.

A fact that seems to be almost universally neglected is that if gravity is quantized - meaning specifically that if gravity waves are to be quantized, and therefore the Weyl tensor too - then light cones are subject to quantum fluctuations - which means causality violation through the back door (or worse): "light cone tunneling".