Long Exact Sequence in Cohomology
The long exact sequence in cohomology is the fundamental theorem connecting short exact sequences of complexes to their cohomology. It is the primary computational tool in homological algebra, underlying the long exact sequences for Ext, Tor, sheaf cohomology, and group cohomology.
Statement
Let be a short exact sequence of cochain complexes in an abelian category . Then there exist connecting homomorphisms for each , and the sequence
is exact. Moreover, is natural: a morphism of short exact sequences of complexes induces a morphism of long exact sequences.
Examples
For open, the short exact sequence gives the Mayer-Vietoris long exact sequence.
For , the sequence gives .
From in , applying gives .
From , applying gives .
For on : .
gives .
For as -modules: .
From , the connecting homomorphism is the Bockstein homomorphism, used in Steenrod operations.
For an oriented sphere bundle , the Gysin sequence arises from a long exact sequence.
For a fiber bundle with : .
Given a morphism of SES of complexes, the connecting homomorphisms commute with the induced maps. This is essential for functoriality of long exact sequences and comparison arguments using the Five Lemma.
In a triangulated category, a distinguished triangle and a cohomological functor give a long exact sequence . The LES in cohomology of complexes is the special case where the triangulated category is or .
Proof Reference
The proof uses the Snake Lemma applied to the diagram relating cocycles/coboundaries in degrees and . See the detailed proof.