Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2021 / ii / Paper 1 / 37C / d

Let $X^{\mu }(\tau )$ be the worldline, $u^{\mu }=d{X}^{\mu }/d\tau$ its four-velocity, andThe relativistic Lorentz force in the constant background isBecause $F^3=0$, its exponential terminates:The particle starts from rest, soUsing the matrix from part (c) givesIntegrating from the origin and using $X^0=ct$ yields the parametric trajectoryThis is the relativistic trajectory in a constant null crossed field. The real cubic relation for $t(\tau )$ is strictly increasing, so it determines $\tau$ uniquely as a function of coordinate time if an explicit $\mathbf{x}(t)$ is desired.