 Chern-Simons 5-form

For a matrix-valued gauge field $A$, let $F=dA+A\wedge A$ be its gauge field strength; products below combine matrix multiplication with the wedge product of differential forms. The five-form can be written $Q_5=\mathrm{Tr}(A(dA{)}^2+\frac{3}{2}{A}^{3}dA+\frac{3}{5}{A}^5)$. Applying the exterior derivative, using its graded product rule and the graded cyclic property of the matrix trace, gives $d{Q}_5=\mathrm{Tr}(F^3)$. The six-form is an invariant polynomial in the gauge curvature, while its local potential depends on the connection.