Electric Field Strength Conservation in Direction of Motion

In summary: E},\vec{B}) for a boost in the opposite direction,\begin{split}\vec{E}'_{opposite}'&=\vec{E}_{opposite},\\\vec{B}'_{opposite}'&=\vec{B}_{opposite},\\\vec{E}_{\perp}'_{opposite}'&=\gamma(\vec{E}_{\perp}-\vec{\beta} \times \vec{B}),\\\vec{B}_{\perp}'_{opposite}'&=
  • #1
StateOfTheEqn
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(Sorry for the typo in the title. I don't know how to get rid of it)

Recently I was looking at the Lorentz co-variance of F=dA (the Faraday 2-form) and *F=*dA (the Maxwell 2-form). I realized that Lorentz co-variance implies that the electric field strength and magnetic field strength are invariant in the direction of motion. In Einstein's notation in Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper (Engl trans.:ON THE ELECTRODYNAMICS OF MOVING BODIES), X=X' and L=L'. It struck me as interesting that he had to assume the invariance in order to prove the co-variance of Maxwell's equations:

Maxwell's eqns:
img78.gif


transformed:

img79.gif


and now in the new variables:
img86.gif


Notice how he assumes X=X' and L=L'. This was no small assumption since it was at the time something Poincare was wanting to prove. The proof is, it seems, because it is necessary to establish co-variance, an established fact by then - otherwise you could measure the absolute velocity of the Earth through the luminiferous aether.

Further along he states explicitly:

img93.gif
 
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  • #2
It's simply the transformation law for a 2nd-rank tensor,
[tex]F'^{\mu \nu}={\Lambda^{\mu}}_{\rho} {\Lambda^{\nu}}_{\sigma} F^{\rho \sigma}.[/tex]
Plugging in the components in 1+3-dimensional notation, i.e., for [itex]\mu \in \{1,2,3 \}[/itex]
[tex]F^{0 \mu}=\partial^{0} A^{\mu}-\partial^{\mu} A^0=\partial_0 A^{\mu} + \partial_{\mu} A^0=\dot{A}^{\mu}+\partial_{\mu} \Phi=-E^{\mu},[/tex]
and for [itex]\mu,\nu \in \{1,2,3 \}[/itex]
[tex]F^{\mu \nu}=\partial^{\mu} A^{\nu} - \partial^{\nu} A^{\mu}=-\partial_{\mu} A^{\nu} + \partial_{\nu} A^{\mu}=\epsilon^{\nu \mu \rho} B^{\rho},[/tex]
you find the transformation law in terms of [itex](\vec{E},\vec{B})[/itex] for a boost,
[tex]
\begin{split}
\vec{E}'&=\gamma(\vec{E}+\vec{\beta} \times \vec{B})-\frac{\gamma^2}{1+\gamma} \vec{\beta}(\vec{\beta} \cdot \vec{E}),\\
\vec{B}'&=\gamma(\vec{B}-\vec{\beta} \times \vec{E})-\frac{\gamma^2}{1+\gamma} \vec{\beta}(\vec{\beta} \cdot \vec{B}),
\end{split}
[/tex]
where [itex]\vec{\beta}=\vec{v}/c[/itex] and [itex]\gamma=1/\sqrt{1-\vec{\beta}^2}[/itex]. As you see, the components in boost direction are indeed unchanged.

Projecting to the parts in direction of [itex]\vec{\beta}[/itex] and perpendicular to it gives
[tex]
\begin{split}
\vec{E}_{\parallel}'&=\vec{E}_{\parallel},\\
\vec{B}_{\parallel}'&=\vec{B}_{\parallel},\\
\vec{E}_{\perp}'&=\gamma(\vec{E}_{\perp}+\vec{\beta} \times \vec{B}),\\
\vec{B}_{\perp}'&=\gamma(\vec{B}_{\perp}-\vec{\beta} \times \vec{E}).
\end{split}
[/tex]
 
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What is electric field strength?

Electric field strength is a measure of the intensity of an electric field at a given point. It is defined as the force per unit charge experienced by a small test charge placed at that point.

How is electric field strength conserved in the direction of motion?

According to the law of conservation of energy, the total energy of a system remains constant. In the case of electric field strength, this means that the energy of an electric field in a given direction must remain constant as long as there are no external forces acting on it.

What factors affect the conservation of electric field strength in the direction of motion?

The main factor that affects the conservation of electric field strength in the direction of motion is the presence of external forces. These forces, such as friction or drag, can decrease the energy of the electric field in a given direction.

What is the mathematical equation for electric field strength?

The mathematical equation for electric field strength is E = F/q, where E is the electric field strength, F is the force acting on a test charge, and q is the magnitude of the test charge. This equation is also known as Coulomb's law.

How is electric field strength measured?

Electric field strength is typically measured using a device called an electric field probe. This probe consists of a small metallic ball attached to a meter which measures the force experienced by the ball in an electric field. The electric field strength can then be calculated using the equation E = F/q.

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