2019•Journal of Physics Conference SeriesOpen access

Maxwell’s Equations, Fields or Potentials?

Alexander Gersten, Amnon Moalem

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Abstract

Abstract Fields and potentials of Maxwell’s Equations transform differently under the Lorentz transformation. Electric and magnetic fields are tridimensional objects which transform like massless fields as a subgroup of the Lorentz group. On the other hand, potentials are four-vectors. Therefore interactions of the electromagnetic fields with four-currents of massive particles cannot be achieved with fields, but only with potentials. Thus potentials seemed to be preferable and a correction to Maxwell’s equations seemed unavoidable. We have generalized the Maxwell’s equations, with 4-vector fields to allow interaction with currents. We suggest a new way to define the potentials and relate them to the new fields.

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Abstract Fields and potentials of Maxwell’s Equations transform differently under the Lorentz transformation. Electric and magnetic fields are tridimensional objects which transform like massless fields as a subgroup of the Lorentz group. On the other hand, potentials are four-vectors. Therefore interactions of the electromagnetic fields with four-currents of massive particles cannot be achieved with fields, but only with potentials. Thus potentials seemed to be preferable and a correction to Maxwell’s equations seemed unavoidable. We have generalized the Maxwell’s equations, with 4-vector fields to allow interaction with currents. We suggest a new way to define the potentials and relate them to the new fields.

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Available abstract

Abstract Fields and potentials of Maxwell’s Equations transform differently under the Lorentz transformation. Electric and magnetic fields are tridimensional objects which transform like massless fields as a subgroup of the Lorentz group. On the other hand, potentials are four-vectors. Therefore interactions of the electromagnetic fields with four-currents of massive particles cannot be achieved with fields, but only with potentials. Thus potentials seemed to be preferable and a correction to Maxwell’s equations seemed unavoidable. We have generalized the Maxwell’s equations, with 4-vector fields to allow interaction with currents. We suggest a new way to define the potentials and relate them to the new fields.

Key concepts: Maxwell's equations, Lorentz force, Electromagnetic field, Lorentz transformation, Physics, Moving magnet and conductor problem, Vector potential, Inhomogeneous electromagnetic wave equation

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