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In geometry, a geodesic (/ ˌ dʒ iː. ə ˈ d ɛ s ɪ k,-oʊ-,-ˈ d iː s ɪ k,-z ɪ k /) [1] [2] is a curve representing in some sense the locally [a] shortest [b] path between two points in a surface, or more generally in a Riemannian manifold. The term also has meaning in any differentiable manifold with a connection.
For some geodesics in such instances, it is possible for a curve that connects the two events and is nearby to the geodesic to have either a longer or a shorter proper time than the geodesic. [ 11 ] For a space-like geodesic through two events, there are always nearby curves which go through the two events that have either a longer or a shorter ...
There are several ways of defining geodesics (Hilbert & Cohn-Vossen 1952, pp. 220–221).A simple definition is as the shortest path between two points on a surface. However, it is frequently more useful to define them as paths with zero geodesic curvature—i.e., the analogue of straight lines on a curved su
The shortest path between two points on a spheroid is known as a geodesic. Such paths are developed using differential geometry. The equator and meridians are great ellipses that are also geodesics [a]. The maximum difference in length between a great ellipse and the corresponding geodesic of length 5,000 nautical miles is about 10.5 meters.
Solving the geodesic equations is a procedure used in mathematics, particularly Riemannian geometry, and in physics, particularly in general relativity, that results in obtaining geodesics. Physically, these represent the paths of (usually ideal) particles with no proper acceleration , their motion satisfying the geodesic equations.
This is analogous to the Earth's surface, where the geodesic between two points along a great circle is the shortest route only up to the antipodal point; beyond that, there are shorter paths. Beyond a conjugate point, a geodesic in Lorentzian geometry may not be maximizing proper time (for timelike geodesics), and the geodesic may enter a ...
Formally, a manifold is (geodesically) complete if for any maximal geodesic:, it holds that = (,). [1] A geodesic is maximal if its domain cannot be extended. Equivalently, M {\displaystyle M} is (geodesically) complete if for all points p ∈ M {\displaystyle p\in M} , the exponential map at p {\displaystyle p} is defined on T p M ...
If the space has the stronger property that there always exists a path that achieves the infimum of length (a geodesic) then it is called a geodesic metric space or geodesic space. For instance, the Euclidean plane is a geodesic space, with line segments as its geodesics.