Electromagnetic Force in Special Relativity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation of electromagnetic fields in the context of special relativity, specifically focusing on a scenario involving a capacitor with a uniform electric field and a ferromagnetic object. Participants explore the implications of Lorentz transformations on electric and magnetic fields, as well as the behavior of magnetic domains within the ferromagnetic material when subjected to relativistic boosts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario involving a capacitor and a ferromagnetic object, questioning how the Lorentz transformation applies to the electric and magnetic fields in this context.
  • Another participant emphasizes the necessity of transforming the ferromagnetic object itself in addition to the fields.
  • There is a query regarding the relevance of transforming every magnetic domain within the ferromagnetic object, with some participants suggesting that they may not be negligible.
  • A later reply asserts that the force on an object is influenced by internal charges and currents, indicating that charge and current densities must also be transformed appropriately.
  • It is noted that the electric and magnetic fields are components of the electromagnetic field tensor, leading to the conclusion that what is purely electric in one frame can manifest as both electric and magnetic in another frame.
  • Additionally, the relationship between magnetization and polarization is discussed, highlighting that what is purely magnetization in one frame can become both magnetization and polarization in another frame.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and implications of transforming magnetic domains, as well as the overall understanding of how electric and magnetic fields interact under Lorentz transformations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the significance of these transformations.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential assumptions about the negligible effects of magnetic domains and the complexity of transforming charge and current densities, which are not fully explored in the discussion.

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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