# Inhomogenous maxwell equation

1. Jan 13, 2008

### ercagpince

[SOLVED] Inhomogenous maxwell equation

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In relativistic notation , the field strenght tensor can be expressed as (A is the vector potential) as on eq.(1.1) .

The inhomogenous Maxwell equations can be written as on eq.(1.2) .
Why did covariant "nu" changed sides with "mu" and become contravariant on the second term of left hand side of the equation 1.2 when one take the derivative of eq.(1.3) by
$$\partial_{\nu}$$?

2. Relevant equations
$$F^{\mu\nu}=\partial^{\mu}A^{\nu}-\partial^{\nu}A^{\mu}$$ (1.1)

$$\partial_{\mu}\partial^{\mu}A^{\nu}-\partial^{\nu}\partial_{\mu}A^{\mu}=\frac{4\Pi}{c}J^{\nu}$$ (1.2)

$$\partial_{\mu}F^{\mu\nu}=\frac{4\Pi}{c}J^{\nu}$$ (1.3)

3. The attempt at a solution
I tried to contract all terms in the eq.(1.2) , however , I couldn't find a quantitative way to solve the problem .

2. Jan 13, 2008

### Tom Mattson

Staff Emeritus
The author didn't take the derivative $\partial_{\nu}$, he took the derivative $\partial_{\mu}$. In the second term of the left hand side he simply commuted $\partial^{\nu}$ and $\partial_{\mu}$.

3. Jan 13, 2008

### ercagpince

thanks a lot!