Lienard-Wiechert Potential derivation, chain rule

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the derivation of the Lienard-Wiechert potential as presented in Robert Wald's "Electromagnetic Fields" (E-M), specifically on page 179. The user seeks clarification on the term $$dX(t_\text{ret})/dt$$ and its application of the chain rule in the context of the equation provided. The equation involves partial derivatives and the retarded time $$t_\text{ret} = t - \frac{1}{c} |\mathbf{x} - \mathbf{x}'|$$, which is crucial for understanding the relationship between the variables involved in the derivation.

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Pnin
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Homework Statement
I am reading a book on my own
Relevant Equations
chain rule
I want to follow the Lienard-Wiechert potential derivation in Robert Wald's E-M book, page 179. I do not understand $$dX(t_\text{ret})/dt$$ on the right side. I assume the chain rule is applied, but I can't see how.

$$ \frac{\partial[x'^i - X^i(t - |\mathbf x - \mathbf x'|/c)]}{\partial x'^j} = \delta^i{}_j - \frac{x^j - x'^j}{c|\mathbf x - \mathbf x'|} \frac{dX^i}{dt}(t_\text{ret}) $$

$$ t_\text{ret} = t - \frac 1c |\mathbf x - \mathbf x'| $$∂[x′i−Xi(t−|x−x′|/c)]∂x′j=δij−xj−x′jc|x−x′|dXidt(tret)

tret=t−1c|x−x′|
 
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Pnin said:
Homework Statement:: I am reading a book on my own
Relevant Equations:: chain rule

I want to follow the Lienard-Wiechert potential derivation in Robert Wald's E-M book, page 179. I do not understand $$dX(t_\text{ret})/dt$$ on the right side. I assume the chain rule is applied, but I can't see how.

$$ \frac{\partial[x'^i - X^i(t - |\mathbf x - \mathbf x'|/c)]}{\partial x'^j} = \delta^i{}_j - \frac{x^j - x'^j}{c|\mathbf x - \mathbf x'|} \frac{dX^i}{dt}(t_\text{ret}) $$

$$ t_\text{ret} = t - \frac 1c |\mathbf x - \mathbf x'| $$∂[x′i−Xi(t−|x−x′|/c)]∂x′j=δij−xj−x′jc|x−x′|dXidt(tret)

tret=t−1c|x−x′|
Did you read and understand footnote 19?
 

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