Derivative of Electromagnetic Field tensor

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivative of the electromagnetic field tensor, specifically how to express it in algebraic form. The original poster references the components of the electromagnetic field tensor and seeks clarification on how to derive it with respect to spatial and temporal coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the representation of the electromagnetic field tensor and its derivatives. The original poster attempts to clarify their question regarding the influence of gradients in electric and magnetic fields on the tensor. Others suggest exploring the implications of constant versus variable fields and question the formulation of equations related to spin precession.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights and references to literature. Some guidance has been offered regarding the representation of the tensor and its derivatives, but there is no explicit consensus on the original poster's specific inquiry.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating complex concepts in electromagnetism, including the implications of constant versus variable fields and the mathematical representation of physical phenomena. There are references to specific equations and literature that may aid in understanding the topic further.

Theraven1982
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Hello,

i had a question (as many do on these forums, it appears ;).
I know E_{k}=F_{0k}
I also know B_{k}=(1/2)*(\epsilon_{klm}*F_{lm})

EM field tensor F^{uv} defined as:
(I put tildes (~) into make it more like a matrix form)

0~~~~E_x~~~E_y~~~E_z
-E_x~~~0~~~~-B_z~~B_y
-E_y~~B_z~~~~0~~~-B_x
-E_z~~-B_y~~~B_x~~~0

However, i want to know how i can write the derivative of this tensor:

0~~~~~~~~Dx(E_x)~~~~Dy(E_y)~~~~~Dz(E_z)
-Dx(E_x)~~~~~0~~~~~~-Dz(B_z)~~~~~Dy(B_y)
-Dy(E_y)~~~Dz(B_z)~~~~~~0 ~~~~~~-Dx(B_x)
-Dz(E_z)~~~-Dy(B_y)~~~~Dx(B_x)~~~~~~0

Where Dx means the derivative wrt x.

So what's the derivative of this tensor in algebraic form?
(like d_{p}F^{uv}*epsilon_{puv} )

I hope someone understands what i mean. And i even more hope someone has a solution: eternal gratitude to this person ;).
Thanks in advance,
 
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Are u looking for this?

[tex]\partial^{\mu}F_{\mu\nu}=j_{\nu}[/tex]

in matrix form...?

[tex]\left( \begin{array}{cccc}\partial^{0} & \partial^{1} & \partial^{2} & \partial^{3} \end{array}\right) \left (\begin{array}{cccc} 0 & F_{01} & F_{02} & F_{03} \\F_{10} & 0 & F_{12} & F_{13} \\F_{20} & F_{21} & 0 & F_{23} \\F_{30} & F_{31} & F_{32} & 0 \end{array} \right) =\left( \begin{array}{cccc} j_{0} & j_{1} & j_{2} & j_{3} \end{array}\right)[/tex]

Daniel.
 
Of course

[tex]\partial^{i}=-\partial_{i}[/tex] (1)

[tex]\partial_{i}=:\frac{\partial}{\partial x^{i}}=\left(\begin{array}{ccc} \frac{\partial}{\partial x} & \frac{\partial}{\partial y} & \frac{\partial}{\partial z} \end{array} \right)[/tex] (2)

[tex]\partial^{0}=\partial_{0}=:\frac{\partial}{\partial t}[/tex] (3)

[tex]j_{i}=-j^{i}[/tex] (4)


Daniel.

NOTE:In both posts i used Heaviside-Lorentz units.
 
Last edited:
Hi,

Thanks for the reply, but this is not what i mean.

I'll try to be more clear en complete:

When you have a constant magnetic and electromagnetic field, the equation of motion (in rest frame) is

dS/dt=(ge)/(2mc)SxB. (S=spin)

However, this is only true when the magnetic field is constant.
If we want to add the influences of an electric dipole, we get a similar term:

ds/dt=(ge)/(2mc)SxB + (g'e)/(2mc)PxE

(P=electric dipole moment).
As said, this is only true when the magnetic and electric field are uniform/constant. What if we want to add gradients to these fields?
I did a Taylor / Mac Laurin's expansion of

SxB(z) (Cross product of S and B in point z)
PxE(z)

You get:

SxB(z)=SxB(0)+Sx(z.(divB))
PxE(z)=PxE(0)+Px(z.(divE)).

How does this translate to the Electromagnetic Field Tensor? How is this expressable with the EM tensor? If we want to do the same with the Electromagnetic Field Tensor F, what do we get?



In your first reply you take derivatives to all coordinates:time derivative of F_{01} and the space derivatives of F_{01}.
I only want for

Electric Field:
#F_{0k} --> Dk(F_{0k} ) (for example, derivative to x for E_x; derivative to y for E_y, etc. So that you get the dot-product of the E-field.)

Magnetic Field:
#F_{kj} --> Dm(F_{kj} ) (for example, derivative to x (coordinate 1) for F_{23}=B_x; derivative to y for F_{13}=B_y, etc.)

(write it in a matrix and you will see).
THIS i want to be expressed in an algebraic form as function of the tensor, and derivative.

Man, it's hard to explain. Don't think i will ever be a teacher ;).

Or am I asking something that doesn't make any sense? (or is impossible?)

Thanks again,
 
Theraven1982 said:
Hi,

Thanks for the reply, but this is not what i mean.

I'll try to be more clear en complete:

When you have a constant magnetic and electromagnetic field,

That doesn't make any sense...The magnetic field can be constant,the electromagnetic field,not.

Theraven1982 said:
the equation of motion (in rest frame) is

dS/dt=(ge)/(2mc)SxB. (S=spin)

However, this is only true when the magnetic field is constant.

So you're interested in the spin precession,a.k.a.Thomas precession.Should have said it from the very beginning.

Theraven1982 said:
If we want to add the influences of an electric dipole, we get a similar term:

ds/dt=(ge)/(2mc)SxB + (g'e)/(2mc)PxE

(P=electric dipole moment).

Never seen this equation.Could u supply a reference for it ?

Theraven1982 said:
As said, this is only true when the magnetic and electric field are uniform/constant. What if we want to add gradients to these fields?
I did a Taylor / Mac Laurin's expansion of

SxB(z) (Cross product of S and B in point z)
PxE(z)

You get:

SxB(z)=SxB(0)+Sx(z.(divB))
PxE(z)=PxE(0)+Px(z.(divE)).

Could u rewrite those? (it would be okay,if u used LaTex) I don't think they look okay...

Theraven1982 said:
How does this translate to the Electromagnetic Field Tensor? How is this expressable with the EM tensor? If we want to do the same with the Electromagnetic Field Tensor F, what do we get?

Is that a covariant formulation of the Thomas precession,that u're interested in?I'll search for it.

Theraven1982 said:
In your first reply you take derivatives to all coordinates:time derivative of F_{01} and the space derivatives of F_{01}.
I only want for

Electric Field:
#F_{0k} --> Dk(F_{0k} ) (for example, derivative to x for E_x; derivative to y for E_y, etc. So that you get the dot-product of the E-field.)

Magnetic Field:
#F_{kj} --> Dm(F_{kj} ) (for example, derivative to x (coordinate 1) for F_{23}=B_x; derivative to y for F_{13}=B_y, etc.)

(write it in a matrix and you will see).
THIS i want to be expressed in an algebraic form as function of the tensor, and derivative.

Man, it's hard to explain. Don't think i will ever be a teacher ;).

Or am I asking something that doesn't make any sense? (or is impossible?)

Thanks again,

This part doesn't make sense.The covariant form of [itex]\vec{E}[/itex] and [itex]\vec{B}[/itex] is [itex]F_{\mu\nu}[/itex].The only derivatives are the the ones in Minkowski space.

Daniel.
 
Section 11.11,pages 561 pp. 565 from the 3-rd edition (1999,Wiley) of J.D.Jackson's "Classical Electrodynamics" is all you need.

Daniel.
 
Thanks again. I'll try to find the book and read it...
Thanks for your time.
 

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