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The electromagnetic field tensor

Let us now investigate whether we can write the components of the electric and magnetic fields
as the components of some proper 4-tensor. There is an obvious problem here. How can we
identify the components of the magnetic field, which is a pseudo-vector, with any of the
components of a proper-4-tensor? The former components transform differently under parity
inversion than the latter components. Consider a proper-3-tensor whose covariant components
are written , and which is antisymmetric:

(1467)

This immediately implies that all of the diagonal components of the tensor are zero. In fact, there
are only three independent non-zero components of such a tensor. Could we, perhaps, use these
components to represent the components of a pseudo-3-vector? Let us write
(1468)

It is clear that transforms as a contravariant pseudo-3-vector. It is easily seen that

(1469)

where , etc. In this manner, we can actually write the components of a pseudo-

3-vector as the components of an antisymmetric proper-3-tensor. In particular, we can write the

components of the magnetic field in terms of an antisymmetric proper magnetic field 3-tensor
which we shall denote .

Let us now examine Eqs. (1465) and (1466) more carefully. Recall that and

. It follows that we can write Eq. (1465) in the form

(1470)

Likewise, Eq. (1466) can be written

(1471)

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Let us multiply this expression by , making use of the identity

(1472)

We obtain
(1473)

or
(1474)

since .

Let us define a proper-4-tensor whose covariant components are given by

(1475)

It is clear that this tensor is antisymmetric:

(1476)

This implies that the tensor only possesses six independent non-zero components. Maybe it can
be used to specify the components of and ?

Equations (1470) and (1475) yield

(1477)

Likewise, Eqs. (1474) and (1475) imply that

(1478)

Thus,
(1479)

(1480)

In other words, the completely space-like components of the tensor specify the components of
the magnetic field, whereas the hybrid space and time-like components specify the components
of the electric field. The covariant components of the tensor can be written

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The electromagnetic field tensor http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/em/lectures/node121.html

(1481)

Not surprisingly, is usually called the electromagnetic field tensor. The above expression,
which appears in all standard textbooks, is very misleading. Taken at face value, it is simply
wrong! We cannot form a proper-4-tensor from the components of a proper-3-vector and a
pseudo-3-vector. The expression only makes sense if we interpret (say) as representing the
component of the proper magnetic field 3-tensor

The contravariant components of the electromagnetic field tensor are given by

(1482)

(1483)

or

(1484)

Let us now consider two of Maxwell's equations:

(1485)

(1486)

Recall that the 4-current is defined . The first of these equations can be written

(1487)

since . The second of these equations takes the form

(1488)

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Making use of Eq. (1472), the above expression reduces to

(1489)

Equations (1487) and (1489) can be combined to give

(1490)

This equation is consistent with the equation of charge continuity, , because of the
antisymmetry of the electromagnetic field tensor.

Next: The dual electromagnetic field Up: Relativity and electromagnetism Previous: Tensors and pseudo-
tensors
Richard Fitzpatrick 2006-02-02

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