Chern-Weil connection transgression (${\partial }_t\mathrm{Tr}{F}_t^2=2d\mathrm{Tr}({\dot{A}}_t\wedge F_t)$)

A variation of the connection one-form has $\dot{F}=D_A\dot{A}$. The Bianchi identity and graded cyclic matrix trace imply ${\partial }_t\mathrm{Tr}(F\wedge F)=2d\mathrm{Tr}(\dot{A}\wedge F)$. Thus the Chern-Weil theory four-form changes by an exact differential form, and its integral on a closed four-cycle is connection-independent. For a general unitary bundle, include the corresponding trace-product term in the Second Chern form.