Electromagnetic Force in Special Relativity

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the transformation of electric and magnetic fields in the context of special relativity, specifically when analyzing a ferromagnetic object in a uniform electric field within a capacitor. When a boost is applied along the x-axis, the electric field is altered by a gamma factor, resulting in the emergence of a magnetic field along the y-axis. The participants emphasize the necessity of transforming both charge and current densities, as well as the magnetic domains, which are significant in this scenario, contrary to initial assumptions of their negligible impact.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lorentz transformations in special relativity
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic field tensors
  • Knowledge of magnetization and polarization tensors
  • Basic principles of ferromagnetism and electric fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Lorentz transformations on electromagnetic fields
  • Explore the electromagnetic field tensor and its components
  • Investigate the role of charge and current densities in electromagnetic theory
  • Learn about the magnetization-polarization tensor and its applications
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism and special relativity, particularly those interested in the interactions between electric and magnetic fields in moving frames.

L0r3n20
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Hi! I came out with a problem last night I wasn't able to solve:

Let's assume we have a condensator with a uniform electric field E confined in its inside, lying on the z axes. Let's also assume we have a piece of a ferromagnetic object aligned with the condensator at time t = 0, on the y-axes. We now perform a boost along the x-axes for both the object: we will find the electric field shifted by a gamma factor and a new magnetic field along the y-axes. So, in the moving frame, the ferromagnetic object would now feel a force toward the condensator.
I cannot understand how this is possible being the Lorentz transformation a switch among inetrial frames.
 
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Don't forget to transform the ferromagnetic object too!
 
Do I have to transform every magnetic domain? Aren't they negligible?
 
L0r3n20 said:
Do I have to transform every magnetic domain? Aren't they negligible?
The force on an object depends on the internal charges and currents. Not only on the EM field. Charge and current densities also need to be properly transformed.
 
L0r3n20 said:
Do I have to transform every magnetic domain? Aren't they negligible?
Clearly they are not negligible in this problem.

The electric field and the magnetic field are components of the electromagnetic field tensor, so what is purely an electric field in one frame becomes both an electric and a magnetic field in another frame. Similarly the magnetization and polarization are components of the magnetization-polarization tensor, so what is purely magnetization in one frame becomes both magnetization and polarization in another frame.
 

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