Raising Index of Electromagnetic Energy Momentum Tensor

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Electromagnetic Energy Momentum Tensor as presented in a General Relativity text. Participants are examining the equivalence of two forms of the tensor, exploring derivations, and questioning the correctness of specific equations and index conventions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion regarding the equivalence of two forms of the Electromagnetic Energy Momentum Tensor, noting discrepancies in index raising.
  • One participant argues that the first equation has incorrect index placements, specifically mentioning the covariant indices and suggesting that the second equation is better structured.
  • Another participant points out that the first equation is derived from Maxwell's Equations, while the second is presented later without derivation, leading to uncertainty about its validity.
  • A participant mentions using a different derivation that aligns with their understanding, highlighting the challenges of converting conventions from the text by Lawden.
  • Discussion includes references to specific sections in Lawden's text, with one participant questioning the correctness of statements regarding the Electromagnetic 4-force density.
  • Another participant confirms that the index placements in a proposed equation appear correct, but does not resolve the overall correctness of the equations discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the equations or the derivations presented. Multiple competing views remain regarding the validity of the forms of the Electromagnetic Energy Momentum Tensor and the associated index conventions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the text by Lawden does not derive the first equation explicitly and that different conventions may lead to confusion in understanding the tensor forms.

jstrunk
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The General Relativity text I am using gives two forms of the Electromagnetic Energy Momentum Tensor:
[tex]{\rm{ }}\mu _0 S_{ij} = F_{ik} F_{jk} - \frac{1}{4}\delta _{ij} F_{kl} F_{kl} \\[/tex]
[tex]{\rm{ }}\mu _0 S_j^i = F^{ik} F_{jk} - \frac{1}{4}\delta _{ij} F^{kl} F_{kl} \\[/tex]

I don't see how these are equivalent. Raising one index on the left entitles you to raise one index on
each term on the right, but instead they raised two indexes on the right. Can anyone explain this?
 
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jstrunk said:
The General Relativity text I am using gives two forms of the Electromagnetic Energy Momentum Tensor:
[tex]{\rm{ }}\mu _0 S_{ij} = F_{ik} F_{jk} - \frac{1}{4}\delta _{ij} F_{kl} F_{kl} \\[/tex]
[tex]{\rm{ }}\mu _0 S_j^i = F^{ik} F_{jk} - \frac{1}{4}\delta _{ij} F^{kl} F_{kl} \\[/tex]

I don't see how these are equivalent. Raising one index on the left entitles you to raise one index on
each term on the right, but instead they raised two indexes on the right. Can anyone explain this?
The first one has two covariant indexes called k in the rhs, also index l is down twice. That is not right.

The second equation is better , every term has the correct i, j indexes, except the ##\delta_{ij}## should be ##\delta^i_j##
 
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The first equation which you say is wrong is the one that is derived in the book from the vector form of Maxwell's Equations.
The second equation is just stated 75 pages later as if it was an obvious consequence of the first.
I assumed the error was in the second equation but maybe I will have to check the derivation of the first equation again.
 
jstrunk said:
The General Relativity text I am using

Which text?
 
I am using Introduction to Tensor Calculus, Relativity and Cosmology by Lawden. He never actually derives the erroneous first equation but derives other things from it. I found a correct derivation that I can use but naturally every possible convention differs from Lawden so it was a bit of work to convert it.
 
At this point in Lawden, he restricts to inertial frames in special relativity, and he uses the the ict convention, so, numerically (but not conceptually), there is no distinction between up and down indices.
 
Lawden Section 28 says the Electromagnetic 4 - force density is [tex]D_i = F_{ij} J_j = \frac{1}{{\mu _0 }}F_{ij} F_{jk,k}[/tex].
In Section 56 it says [tex]D_i = F_{ij} J^i[/tex] which implies for flat space [tex]D_i = F_{ij} J^j = \frac{1}{{\mu _0 }}F_{ij} F_{,k}^{jk}[/tex].
Can someone verify that the statement from Section 28 is another mistake in the book and that [tex]D_i = F_{ij} J^j = \frac{1}{{\mu _0 }}F_{ij} F_{,k}^{jk}[/tex] is correct?
 
jstrunk said:
Lawden Section 28 says the Electromagnetic 4 - force density is
..
..
[tex]D_i = F_{ij} J^j = \frac{1}{{\mu _0 }}F_{ij}{ F^{jk}}_{,k}[/tex] is correct?

That looks OK. The indexes are certainly well formed.
 

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