On the homotopy classification of maps (Q847602)

Let \(f\) be a map from \(X\) to \(Y\). Suppose that it induces the zero homomorphism in cohomology. The question is then whether or not \(f\) is null homotopic. Of course, in general, it need not be. However, the author shows that under some general conditions, it is true. This means that if we take \(Y\) to be the classifying space of some topological group \(G\), for example, the unitary group \(U(n)\), this gives results on the triviality of \(U(n)\)-principal bundles in terms of Chern classes. The results are established in greater generality.