In Minkowski spacetime, the set of all events separated from the origin by a time like interval

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In Minkowski spacetime, the set of all events separated from the origin by a time like interval a2 is a 3-surface, the hyperboloid t2 − x2 − y2 − z2 = a2, where {t , x, y, z} are Lorentz coordinates of some inertial reference frame. On this hyperboloid, introduce coordinates {χ, θ , φ} such that


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Note that χ is a radial coordinate and (θ , ∅) are spherical polar coordinates. Denote by V3 the portion of the hyperboloid with radius χ ≤ b.(a) Verify that for all values of (χ , θ , ∅), the points defined by Eqs. (2.63) do lie on the hyperboloid.


(b) On a spacetime diagram, draw a picture of V3, the {χ, θ , ∅} coordinates, and the elementary volume element (vector field) d ∑(vector)[Eq. (2.55)].


(c) Set A(vector) ≡ e(vector)0 (the temporal basis vector), and express ∫V3 A(vector) · d∑(vector) as an integral over {χ, θ , ∅}. Evaluate the integral.


(d) Consider a closed 3-surface consisting of the segment V3 of the hyperboloid as its top, the hypercylinder {x2 + y2 + z2 = a2 sinh2 b, 0 2 + y2 + z2 ≤ a2 sinh2 b, t = 0} as its bottom. Draw a picture of this closed 3-surface on a spacetime diagram. Use Gauss’s theorem, applied to this 3-surface, to show that ∫VA(vector) · d ∑(vector) is equal to the 3-volume of its spherical base.

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