Talk:Scalar curvature

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[edit] Notation -- R vs S

I originally switched from S to R because every other article on WP that talks about scalar curvature uses R not S (since S is already taken, used to denote the "action").

Also: I have yet to see any book where the scalar curvature is denoted by S. Neither of the two mathbooks I have on Riemannian geometry call it that. So in what sense is "S" the "usual" notation? linas 22:18, 7 October 2005 (UTC)

It is usual in Riemannian geometry, and this is an article in Riemanninan geometry. Almost any modern book use S or Sc. Ricci flow guys use and inex oriented intos use R. See Curvature of Riemannian manifolds and Weyl curvature. Also if you do not use index notation it has no sense to use R. Tosha 22:50, 9 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Pseudo-Riemannian case

It ought to be mentioned that scalar curvature is defined for pseudo-Riemannian metrics as well. There is at least one sentence in the article which implies scalar curvature is specific to Riemannian metrics only. Jjauregui (talk) 20:01, 7 April 2008 (UTC)