Energy-momentum conservation in gravity theories

Abstract

We discuss general properties of the conservation law associated with a local symmetry. Using Noether's theorem and a generalized Belinfante symmetrization procedure in 3+1 dimensions, a symmetric energy-momentum (pseudo) tensor for the gravitational Einstein-Hilbert action is derived and discussed in detail. In 2+1 dimensions, expressions are obtained for energy and angular momentum arising in the ISO(2,1) gauge-theoretical formulation of Einstein gravity. In addition, an expression for energy in a gauge-theoretical formulation of the string-inspired (1+1)-dimensional gravity is derived and compared with the ADM definition of energy.