Observations about the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}_2 \subset \mathfrak{so}(7)$, associative $3$-planes, and $\mathfrak{so}(4)$ subalgebras

TL;DR

This paper explores the structure of the Lie algebra alg{g}_2 in alg{so}(7), revealing new properties of its elements, and constructs a novel alg{so}(4) subalgebra associated with associative 3-planes, with accessible explanations.

Contribution

It introduces a new alg{so}(4) subalgebra related to associative 3-planes and provides a canonical form for elements of alg{g}_2, expanding understanding of their algebraic relationships.

Findings

Elements of alg{g}_2 cannot have rank 2.

If an element of alg{g}_2 has rank 4, its kernel is an associative subspace.

Constructed a new alg{so}(4) subalgebra from an associative 3-plane.

Abstract

We make several observations relating the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}_2 \subset \mathfrak{so}(7)$, associative $3$-planes, and $\mathfrak{so}(4)$ subalgebras. Some are likely well-known but not easy to find in the literature, while other results are new. We show that an element $X \in \mathfrak{g}_2$ cannot have rank $2$, and if it has rank $4$ then its kernel is an associative subspace. We prove a canonical form theorem for elements of $\mathfrak{g}_2$. Given an associative $3$-plane $P$ in $\mathbb R^7$, we construct a Lie subalgebra $\Theta(P)$ of $\mathfrak{so}(7) = \Lambda^2 (\mathbb R^7)$ that is isomorphic to $\mathfrak{so}(4)$. This $\mathfrak{so}(4)$ subalgebra differs from other known constructions of $\mathfrak{so}(4)$ subalgebras of $\mathfrak{so}(7)$ determined by an associative $3$-plane. These are results of an NSERC undergraduate research project. The paper is written so as to be accessible to a wide audience.