Calculating Field Strengths of EM & Gravitational Fields

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the field strengths of electromagnetic and gravitational fields, particularly in relation to particle physics and the relative strengths of fundamental interactions. Participants explore concepts from Maxwell's equations and general relativity, as well as the implications of coupling constants and energy dependence in grand unified theories.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to calculate the field strength of electromagnetic fields from Maxwell's equations and gravitational fields from general relativity, linking this to particle physics and the relative strengths of fundamental interactions.
  • Another participant notes that in classical general relativity, there is no "field" strength per se, but rather space-time geometry and curvature, suggesting that tensor quantities like the Riemann Tensor or Ricci Tensor can be calculated to understand curvature.
  • A participant questions whether the Ricci Scalar could be considered a coupling constant representing the strength of gravity and if it corresponds to the relative strengths of forces mentioned in the provided link.
  • There is also a query about the treatment of electromagnetism in this context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of gravitational field strength and its representation through curvature, with no consensus reached on the relationship between the Ricci Scalar and coupling constants or the relative strengths of forces.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on how coupling constants are derived in both general relativity and Maxwell's equations, as well as the potential energy dependence of fundamental forces in grand unified theories.

Schreiberdk
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Hi there PF

How does on calculate the field strenght of the electromagnetic field (from Maxwells equations) and of the gravitational field (from general relativity).

I want to relate this to particle physics, where the relative strenghts of the fundamental interactions are calculated here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_interaction#Overview), but how are these relative strengths calculated? Does it have something to do with coupling constants? and how does one find these in general relativity and in maxwells equations?

Also i would like to ask, whether these are energy dependent, as in grand unified theories, where on states that the fundamental forces become equal in strenght at certain levels of energy.

Thanks in advance
\Schreiber
 
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In Classical GR there is no "field" strength per say since it is space - time geometry and its curvature one is modeling mathematically. One can calculate tensor quantities such as the Riemann Tensor or the Ricci Tensor for a given metric to see how much space - time is curved at each point in the coordinate system being used for the metric or the Ricci Scalar for a coordinate invariant expression for the curvature. Correct if I am wrong.
 

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