Solve Mandl & Shaw 2.3: Prove Lorentz Condition

  • Thread starter Thread starter jdstokes
  • Start date Start date
jdstokes
Messages
520
Reaction score
1
[SOLVED] Mandl and Shaw 2.3

Show that the Lagrangian density

\mathcal{L} = -\frac{1}{2}\partial_\alpha \varphi_\beta \partial^\alpha \varphi^\beta + \frac{1}{2} \partial_\alpha \varphi^\alpha \partial_\beta \varphi^\beta + \frac{\mu^2}{2}\varphi_\alpha \varphi^\alpha

for the real vector field \varphi^\alpha leads to the field equations

[g_{\alpha\beta}(\square+ \mu^2)-\partial_\alpha\partial_\beta]\varphi^\beta=0

and that the field satisfies the Lorentz condition \partial_\alpha \varphi^\alpha = 0.

The first part is a simple matter of using the Lagrange equation for the fields. I'm not sure where this Lorentz condition comes from. Does it follow from some symmetry of the Lagrangian?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This is the Proca field? As I'm not sure whether this is a homework problem of yours or not... I'll just assume you've consulted wikipedia already =)
 
jdstokes said:
Does it follow from some symmetry of the Lagrangian?


No, it is an algebraic property of the field equation. Just operate with \partial^{\alpha}.

sam
 
Ahh yes, thanks same.
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. Towards the end of the first lecture for the Qiskit Global Summer School 2025, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Olivia Lanes (Global Lead, Content and Education IBM) stated... Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/quantum-entanglement-is-a-kinematic-fact-not-a-dynamical-effect/ by @RUTA
If we release an electron around a positively charged sphere, the initial state of electron is a linear combination of Hydrogen-like states. According to quantum mechanics, evolution of time would not change this initial state because the potential is time independent. However, classically we expect the electron to collide with the sphere. So, it seems that the quantum and classics predict different behaviours!
Back
Top