Bamonti, Nicola (2023) What is a reference frame in General Relativity? [Preprint]

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Abstract

In General Relativity, the terms ‘reference frame’ and ‘coordinate system’ must be distinguished. The former refers to physical systems that are dynamically coupled with the gravitational field, aside from possible approximations, while the latter refers to a set of mathematical variables that are representative artefacts. This necessary distinction is lost in pre-general relativistic physics, where we can choose as a reference frame a system of real physical objects that is not affected and cannot affect the physical system under consideration. Therefore, we can make it coincide with a coordinate system without the need for approximations. We propose a a novel three-fold distinction between three types of reference frames, considered as material systems. In particular, we discern between Idealised Reference Frames, Dynamical Reference Frames and Real Reference Frames, depending on their increasing physical role in the total dynamics. Using a Bianchi I model in Minisuperspace, we give a cosmological example of the use of a gravitational Dynamical Reference Frame, namely a reference frame constructed with gravitational degrees of freedom in the standard case where the gravitational stress-energy tensor is not defined in the Einstein field equations. We also analyse the role of active and passive diffeomorphisms in changing a reference frame.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bamonti, Nicola 0000-0003-3841-6848
Keywords:	reference frame, coordinate system, relational observables, Bianchi models, General Relativity, minisuperspace
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	Mr Nicola Bamonti
Date Deposited:	18 Jul 2023 14:43
Last Modified:	18 Jul 2023 14:43
Item ID:	22300
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22300

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• What is a reference frame in General Relativity? (deposited 18 Jul 2023 14:43) [Currently Displayed]
  • What is a reference frame in General Relativity? (deposited 03 Jan 2024 21:00)

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