Suppose is a Killing vector field, is an electromagnetic field tensor satisfying and , and a particle of nonzero mass obeys the Lorentz force equation . Cartan's magic formula gives , so the local potential of a closed differential one-form proof gives locally. The Killing equation eliminates , and the force term gives . Therefore is locally conserved. The sign assumes contraction in the first argument of . A global potential additionally requires the closed one-form to have zero periods; invariance alone is insufficient without the homogeneous Maxwell equations.
Electromagnetic field Created 2026-10-05 Updated 2026-10-06
The combined electric field and magnetic field that determine the Lorentz force on a charged particle.
Suppose the Cartesian magnetic flux function is advected, the initial axial velocity is zero, initially, and . Then remains a function of the flux label and time. The axial Lorentz force vanishes because its transverse derivative along a magnetic field line vanishes. Smooth ideal evolution therefore preserves zero axial motion.
Helical motion in a uniform magnetic field Created 2026-09-29 Updated 2026-10-06
In a uniform magnetic field, the Lorentz force leaves the component of velocity parallel to the field constant and rotates the perpendicular component at the nonrelativistic cyclotron frequency . The resulting path is a helix around a field line.
Magnetic field Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Magnetic force on a current-carrying wire Created 2026-09-29 Updated 2026-10-06
A wire carrying current in a magnetic field experiencesThis follows by summing the magnetic part of the Lorentz force over the moving charge carriers.
Magnetohydrodynamic total pressure 2026-10-06
The magnetohydrodynamic total pressure is , the sum of gas pressure and magnetic pressure. The remaining Lorentz force is magnetic tension, so this scalar does not include the entire magnetic stress.
Motional electromotive force 2026-10-06
Motional electromotive force is the contribution caused by a conductor moving through a magnetic field. The magnetic part of the Lorentz force separates charges within the conductor. For a bar of length moving at velocity perpendicular to a uniform field, its magnitude is ; the sign follows the chosen circuit orientation. Together with the electric-field contribution it enters Faraday's law for moving circuits.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 ia Paper 4 4E Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
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