How do you calculate the time component of a 4-Vector

In summary, there is a stationary monopole at the origin of the spatial coordinate system. It has zero time component and a magnetic charge of g.
  • #1
Philosophaie
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A stationary Monopole exist at the Origin. I am trying to get an understanding of the time derivative of a Four-Vector of ##\vec{B}## and ##\vec{E}##

##\vec{B} = B_r \hat r + B_\theta \hat \theta + B_\phi \hat \phi + \frac{1}{c}B_t \hat t##

##\vec{E} = E_r \hat r + E_\theta \hat \theta + E_\phi \hat \phi + \frac{1}{c}E_t \hat t##

How do you calculate ##B_t## and ##E_t##?
 
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  • #3
Even thought it is not a 4-Vector can it have a ##B_t## component?
 
  • #4
No. The tensor Dale mentioned has six independent components which correspond to the three components of the electric field three-vector and the three components of the magnetic field three-vector.

The electric potential and the magnetic vector potential together form a four vector.
 
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  • #5
Antisymmetric rank 2 tensor has six independent components which correspond to the three components of the electric field three-vector and the three components of the magnetic field three-vector?
 
  • #7
The 6 components of the electromagnetic field are in fact components of an antisymmetric Minkowski tensor. It's easier to remember the relations in terms of the four-potential:
$$F_{\mu \nu} = \partial_{\mu} A_{\nu}-\partial_{\nu} A_{\mu}.$$
The time-space components are (latin indices run from ##1## to ##3##, and I use the (+---) convention of the metric)
$$F_{0n}=\partial_0 A_n-\partial_n A_0=-\frac{1}{c} \partial_t A^n-\partial_n A^0=E^n=-E_n,$$
and the space-space components
$$F_{mn}=\partial_m A_n-\partial_n A_m=-\partial_m A^n + \partial_n A^m=-\epsilon^{lmn} B^l=-B^{mn}=-B_{mn}.$$
This is in a fixed inertial reference frame.

For the following we also need the Hodge dual
$$(\dagger F)^{\mu \nu}=\frac{1}{2} \epsilon^{\mu \nu \rho \sigma} F^{\rho \sigma}.$$
After some algebra one gets
$$(\dagger F)^{0 n}-B^n.$$

You can rewrite this in a coordinate-free way. Take a reference frame with the time-like unit vector called ##u^{\mu}##. For the original frame, used above we have ##(u^{\mu})=(1,0,0,0)##. So you can define four-vector electric-field components by
$$E^{\mu}=F^{\mu \nu} u_{\nu}, \quad B^{\mu}=(\dagger F)^{\mu \nu} u_{\nu}.$$
In the reference frame, where ##u^{\mu}=(1,0,0,0)## a single monopole sitting at rest in the origin of the spatial coordinate system, there is no time component. You have
$$\vec{E}=0, \quad \vec{B}=\frac{g}{4 \pi r^3} \vec{x}$$
where ##g## is the magnetic charge of the point monopole. It's completely analogous to electrostatics.
 

Related to How do you calculate the time component of a 4-Vector

What is a 4-Vector and why is the time component important in its calculation?

A 4-Vector is a mathematical concept used in physics to represent the position and movement of an object in space and time. The time component is important because it allows us to calculate the position and movement of an object at a specific time, as well as its velocity and acceleration.

How do you determine the time component of a 4-Vector?

The time component of a 4-Vector can be determined by taking the time coordinate of an event or the duration of an interval between two events. This can be done through measurements or calculations, depending on the situation.

What is the relationship between the time component and the other components of a 4-Vector?

The time component is one of four components in a 4-Vector, the others being the three spatial components. Together, they represent the position and movement of an object in four-dimensional spacetime. The time component is directly related to the other components through mathematical equations and can affect their values and interpretations.

How does relativity affect the calculation of the time component in a 4-Vector?

According to Einstein's theory of relativity, time is not absolute and can be affected by an object's velocity and the gravitational field it is in. This means that the time component of a 4-Vector can vary depending on the observer's frame of reference, and must be considered in calculations involving high speeds or strong gravitational fields.

Are there any limitations to calculating the time component of a 4-Vector?

While the concept of a 4-Vector allows us to accurately describe the position and movement of objects in spacetime, there are limitations to its use. These include the need for accurate measurements and the effects of relativistic phenomena, as well as the fact that it may not be applicable in certain situations where classical physics is not valid.

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