What kind of tensor is the electromagnetic field tensor?

In summary, a contravariant second-rank tensor (or second-rank contravariant tensor) transforms like this: first, the inverse Lorentz transformation matrix is used to transform from an unprimed to a primed system; then, the tensor transforms like a contravariant second-rank tensor.
  • #1
center o bass
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The covariant form of the Lorentz force can be written as

[tex]m \ddot x^\mu =q F^{\mu \nu} \dot x_\nu [/tex]

and such a relation should prove by the quotient rule that F is indeed a tensor.
But what kind of tensor is it? One can show that it transforms from an unprimed
to a primed system like

[tex] F'^{\mu \nu} = \Lambda^\mu_{\ \alpha} \Lambda^{\ \nu}_{\beta} F^{\alpha \beta} = \frac{\partial x'^\mu}{\partial x^\alpha} \frac{\partial x^\nu}{\partial x'^\beta} F^{\alpha \beta}[/tex],

where [tex]\Lambda^{\ \nu}_{\beta}[/tex] is the inverse Lorentz transformation matrix. But what kind of tensors transforms like this? Does it have a name? I know about covariant, contravariant and mixed tensors. The closest I get is a mixed tensor but it would transform like

[tex] T^\mu_\nu = \frac{\partial x'^\mu}{\partial x^\rho }\frac{\partial x^\sigma}{\partial x'^\nu} T^\rho_\sigma[/tex].
 
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  • #3
Hi Tim!

But then it should transform like

[tex] F'^{\mu\nu} = \frac{\partial x'^\mu}{\partial x^\alpha} \frac{\partial x'^\nu}{\partial x^\beta} F^{\alpha \beta}[/tex]

and not as

[tex]F'^{\mu \nu} = \frac{\partial x'^\mu}{\partial x^\alpha} \frac{\partial x^\nu}{\partial x'^\beta} F^{\alpha \beta}[/tex]

which arises from the fact that the inverse lorentz transformation gives the equality

[tex] \frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x'^\nu} = \Lambda_\nu^{\ \ \mu}[/tex]

and that I have shown that

[tex]F'^{\mu \nu} = \Lambda^\mu_{\ \ \alpha} \Lambda^{\ \ \nu}_{\beta} F^{\alpha \beta}[/tex]

from transforming the lorentz force law in covariant form.
 
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  • #4
Maybe there is a flaw in my proof? It goes as follows: Ignoring the constants m and q

[tex] \ddot x'^\mu = F'^{\mu \nu} \dot x'_\nu =\Lambda^\mu_{\ \alpha} (\dot x^\alpha) = \Lambda^\mu_{\ \alpha} (F^{\alpha \beta} \dot x_{\beta}) = \Lambda^\mu_{\ \alpha} F^{\alpha \beta} \Lambda_\beta^{\ \ \nu} \dot x'_\nu [/tex],
from which it should follow that

[tex]F'^{\mu \nu} = \Lambda^\mu_{\ \alpha} \Lambda_\beta^{\ \ \nu}
F^{\alpha \beta} = \frac{\partial x'^\mu}{\partial x^\alpha} \frac{\partial x^\nu}{\partial x'^\beta} F^{\alpha \beta}[/tex].

Here I have used the lorentz transformation and the inverse transformation
[tex] x'^\mu = \Lambda^\mu_{\ \ \nu} x^\nu[/tex]

[tex] x'_\mu = \Lambda_\mu^{\ \ \nu} x_\nu[/tex]

from which it follows that

[tex]\frac{\partial x^\mu}{\partial x'^\nu} = \Lambda_\nu^{\ \ \mu}[/tex]
and

[tex]\frac{\partial x'^\mu}{\partial x^\nu} = \Lambda^\nu_{\ \ \mu}[/tex].
 

FAQ: What kind of tensor is the electromagnetic field tensor?

1. What is a tensor?

A tensor is a mathematical object that is used to represent the relationships between different quantities in a multi-dimensional space. It is composed of a set of numbers arranged in a specific way, and its components can be transformed according to certain rules.

2. What is the electromagnetic field tensor?

The electromagnetic field tensor is a mathematical representation of the electromagnetic field in space. It describes how the electric and magnetic fields are related and how they change in different directions.

3. What kind of tensor is the electromagnetic field tensor?

The electromagnetic field tensor is a rank-2 tensor. This means it has two indices and its components can be transformed according to the rules of tensor transformation.

4. What are the components of the electromagnetic field tensor?

The electromagnetic field tensor has 16 components, which are represented by a 4x4 matrix. The first two components represent the electric field, while the last two components represent the magnetic field. The remaining components represent the relationships between the electric and magnetic fields in different directions.

5. How is the electromagnetic field tensor used in physics?

The electromagnetic field tensor is used in Maxwell's equations, which are the fundamental equations that describe the behavior of electric and magnetic fields. It is also used in Einstein's field equations, which describe the relationship between space, time, and matter in the theory of general relativity.

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