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2019•Cambridge University Press eBooksRequires access

The Energy-Momentum Tensor

Horaƫiu Năstase

Open publisher page 4 citations

Abstract

In this chapter we study the energy-momentum tensor. After defining it from the Lagrangian formalism, we consider conservation equations in general, and apply it to the energy–momentum tensor. We find an ambiguity in the definition of the energy–momentum tensor, we fix it by considering the symmetric tensor, and we find the interpretation of the tensor's components. The Belinfante tensor form is defined by coupling to gravity. Finally, we give as an example the electromagnetic field, for which we calculate the energy–momentum tensor.

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What this paper is about

In this chapter we study the energy-momentum tensor. After defining it from the Lagrangian formalism, we consider conservation equations in general, and apply it to the energy–momentum tensor. We find an ambiguity in the definition of the energy–momentum tensor, we fix it by considering the symmetric tensor, and we find the interpretation of the tensor's components. The Belinfante tensor form is defined by coupling to gravity. Finally, we give as an example the electromagnetic field, for which we calculate the energy–momentum tensor.

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Available abstract

In this chapter we study the energy-momentum tensor. After defining it from the Lagrangian formalism, we consider conservation equations in general, and apply it to the energy–momentum tensor. We find an ambiguity in the definition of the energy–momentum tensor, we fix it by considering the symmetric tensor, and we find the interpretation of the tensor's components. The Belinfante tensor form is defined by coupling to gravity. Finally, we give as an example the electromagnetic field, for which we calculate the energy–momentum tensor.

Key concepts: Stress–energy tensor, Tensor density, Lanczos tensor, Tensor contraction, Symmetric tensor, Tensor (intrinsic definition), Tensor field, Einstein tensor

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