Abstract
An explicit formula for embedding the Schwarzschild solution in a three-dimensional flat space with indefinite metric for arbitrary Kruskal timelike coordinate v is presented. The time development of the Schwarzschild solution can then be represented by a succession of spacelike surfaces, each corresponding to a different value of v. It is seen that the standard representation of the Schwarzschild metric, the Flamm paraboloid, is in fact the v = 0 special case of a similar time-dependent embedding in a three-dimensional Euclidean space with positive definite metric. However, this embedding is inadequate in that it is not defined for most values of v. Thus, the embedding in a space with indefinite metric is to be preferred. The results for the Schwarzschild case are found to be readily extended to all metrics of a certain class, and a general embedding formula for arbitrary v results. Embeddings for the Schwarzschild, de Sitter, and Reissner-Nordström metrics are then special cases of this general form. It is seen that all such solutions behave similarly as v gets large. This suggests an alternate interpretation of the oscillatory character of the Reissner-Nordström "wormhole."
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1662-1667 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Mathematical Physics |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1981 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Mathematical Physics