Diffeomorphism invariance and general covariance: a pedagogical introduction

Abstract

Diffeomorphism invariance is a feature that gets sometimes highlighted as something with profound implications in the physics of spacetime. Moreover, it is often wrongly associated exclusively with General Relativity. The fact that diffeomorphism invariance and general covariance are used interchangeably does not help. Here, we attempt at clarifying these concepts.

6 pages, 3 figures, informal style