Gauss' Law as a derivative of the electromagnetic field tensor

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving Gauss' Law, expressed as \nabla \bullet E = 4 \pi \rho, derived from the electromagnetic field tensor equation \partial_{\beta}F^{\alpha \beta} = 4 \pi J^{\alpha}. The user initially struggles with a negative sign in their calculations, specifically when relating the divergence of the electric field to charge density. Ultimately, they resolve their confusion regarding the arrangement of rows and columns in the matrix representation of the electromagnetic field tensor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic field tensors, specifically F_{\alpha \beta}
  • Familiarity with tensor calculus and index notation
  • Knowledge of vector calculus, particularly divergence operations
  • Basic understanding of Gauss' Law in electromagnetism
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Maxwell's equations from the electromagnetic field tensor
  • Learn about the implications of Gauss' Law in electrostatics
  • Explore tensor calculus applications in physics
  • Investigate common pitfalls in matrix manipulations in physics
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to Gauss' Law and tensor calculus.

mjordan2nd
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Homework Statement



Prove [tex]\nabla \bullet E =4 \pi \rho[/tex] from [tex]\partial_{\beta}F^{\alpha \beta}=4 \pi J^{\alpha}[/tex] where [tex]J^{\alpha}=(\rho, J^{1}, J^{2}, J^{3})[/tex].

Homework Equations



We are given that [tex]F_{\alpha \beta}[/tex] is

0~~~~E_x~~~E_y~~~E_z
-E_x~~~0~~~~-B_z~~B_y
-E_y~~B_z~~~~0~~~-B_x
-E_z~~-B_y~~~B_x~~~0

(Sorry, don't know how to do matrices.)

Raising the indices I should get

0~~~-E_x~~-E_y~~-E_z
E_x~~~0~~~~-B_z~~B_y
E_y~~B_z~~~~0~~~-B_x
E_z~~-B_y~~~B_x~~~0

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]\partial_{\beta}F^{\alpha \beta}=4 \pi J^{\alpha}=>-\partial_{i}F^{0i}=\rho=-\partial_{i}E_{i}[/tex]. I don't know why I keep getting that pesky negative sign! Can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
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For whatever reason I can't edit the latex, but it should say it as follows:

(interestingly enough after this post the op corrected itself)

Homework Statement



Prove [tex]\nabla \bullet E =4 \pi \rho[/tex] from [tex]\partial_{\beta}F^{\alpha \beta}=4 \pi J^{\alpha}[/tex] where [tex]J^{\alpha}=(\rho, J^{1}, J^{2}, J^{3})[/tex].

Homework Equations



We are given that [tex]F_{\alpha \beta}[/tex] is

0~~~~E_x~~~E_y~~~E_z
-E_x~~~0~~~~-B_z~~B_y
-E_y~~B_z~~~~0~~~-B_x
-E_z~~-B_y~~~B_x~~~0

(Sorry, don't know how to do matrices.)

Raising the indices I should get

0~~~-E_x~~-E_y~~-E_z
E_x~~~0~~~~-B_z~~B_y
E_y~~B_z~~~~0~~~-B_x
E_z~~-B_y~~~B_x~~~0

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]\partial_{\beta}F^{\alpha \beta}=4 \pi J^{\alpha}=>-\partial_{i}F^{0i}=\rho=-\partial_{i}E^{i}[/tex]. I don't know why I keep getting that pesky negative sign! Can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
Bleh, never mind, I got it. Just got the rows and columns confused somehow... Thanks anyway, sorry for wasting your time.
 

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