Can Lorentz transformations be represented by matrices in EM fields?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 2K views
stunner5000pt
Messages
1,447
Reaction score
5
Show that [tex]\partial'_{\alpha} A'^\alpha (x') = \partial _{mu} A^{\mu}(x')[/tex]

lets focus on the partial operator for now
[tex]\partial'_{\alpha} = \frac{\partial}{\partial x'^{\alpha}} = \frac{\partial}{L_{\nu}^{\alpha} \partial x^{\nu}}[/tex]

Now A represents the Scalar and vector fields of an EM field.

[tex]A'^{\alpha}(x') = L_{\sigma}^{\alpha} A^{\sigma}(x')[/tex]
is that fine?

when i put them together
[tex]\partial'_{\alpha} A'^\alpha (x') = \frac{\partial}{L_{\nu}^{\alpha} \partial x^{\nu}} L_{\sigma}^{\alpha} A^{\sigma}(x')[/tex]
the argumetn is that both the L s represent the same dimensions thus the they are the same thing?

But Since L is a matrix... i can't be int eh denominator... can it? Would it simply be represented as an inverse? The two Ls still turn into idnetity matrix which is simply 1.

your helpsi greatly appreciated!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, the gradient on [itex]M_{4}[/itex] is a covector, so your first equation should read

[tex]\frac{\partial}{\partial x' ^{\alpha}} =\Lambda_{\alpha}{}^{\mu} \frac{\partial}{\partial x^{\mu}}[/tex].


Daniel.