Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2023 / ib / Paper 2 / 16D / a / Solution

Let $x^{\mu }=(ct,\mathbf{x})$, let $\tau$ be proper time, and define the four-velocity and four-momentum byIf $F^{\mu \nu }$ is the electromagnetic field tensor, the covariant Lorentz force law isThe temporal component and three spatial components respectively giveHere $\mathcal{E}=\gamma m{c}^2$ is the relativistic energy and $\mathbf{p}=\gamma m\mathbf{v}$ is the relativistic momentum. In the nonrelativistic limit, $\gamma \to 1$, so the spatial equation becomesthe usual Lorentz-force law.