The Mathematical Theory of RelativityEddington, Arthur Stanley, Sir
Science
The Mathematical Theory of Relativity
Eddington, Arthur Stanley, Sir
Relativity (Physics)
For the observer~$S$ using our original system of Galilean coordinates, the
quantities $k_{\mu}$, $F_{\mu\nu}$ and~$J^{\mu}$ represent the electromagnetic potential, force, and
current, according to definition. For another observer~$S'$ with different velocity,
we have corresponding quantities $\kappa_{\mu}'$, $F_{\mu\nu}'$, $J'^{\mu}$, obtained by the transformation-laws;
but we have not yet shown that these are the quantities which $S'$~will
measure when he makes experimental determinations of potential, force, and
current relative to his moving apparatus. Now if $S'$~recognises certain measured
quantities as potential, force, and current it must be because they play the
same part in the world relative to him, as $\kappa_{\mu}$, $F_{\mu\nu}$ and~$J^{\mu}$ play in the world
relative to~$S$. To play the same part means to have the same properties, or
fulfil the same relations or equations. But $\kappa_{\mu}'$, $F_{\mu\nu}'$ and~$J'^{\mu}$ fulfil the same
equations in~$S'$'s coordinates as $\kappa_{\mu}$, $F_{\mu\nu}$ and~$J^{\mu}$ do in $S$'s~coordinates, \emph{because
the fundamental equations \Eq{(73.73)}, \Eq{(73.74)} and \Eq{(73.77)} are tensor equations
holding in all systems of coordinates}. The fact that Maxwell's equations are
tensor equations, enables us to make the identification of $\kappa_{\mu}$, $F_{\mu\nu}$, $J^{\mu}$ with the
experimental potential, force, and current in all systems of Galilean coordinates
and not merely in the system initially chosen.
In one sense our proof is not yet complete. There are other equations
obeyed by the electromagnetic variables which have not yet been discussed.
In particular there is the equation which prescribes the motion of a particle
carrying a charge in the electromagnetic field. We shall show in \SecRef{76} that
this also is of the tensor form, so that the accented variables continue to play
the same part in $S'$'s~experience which the unaccented variables play in~$S$'s
\PageSep{175}
experience. But even as it stands our proof is sufficient to show that \emph{if} there
exists for~$S'$ a potential, force, and current precisely analogous to the potential,
\index{Potential!electromagnetic}%
force, and current of~$S$, these must be expressed by $\kappa_{\mu}'$, $F_{\mu\nu}$, $J'^{\mu}$, because other
quantities would not satisfy the equations already obtained. The proviso must
clearly be fulfilled unless the special principle of relativity is violated.
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