Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 ii Paper 1 36D Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-03
Use the Minkowski metric and define the electromagnetic field tensor byAs a rank-two Lorentz tensor, it transforms under a Lorentz transformation asTwo independent quadratic electromagnetic field invariants are
With , , and , the components areDirect contraction giveswhere the sign of changes if the opposite spacetime orientation is chosen. Since both are complete tensor contractions, and are Lorentz scalars.
For a constant uniform field, the relativistic Lorentz force is a constant-coefficient linear ordinary differential equation. Its solution is the matrix exponential
Now implies that the field is a null electromagnetic field:The stated axes allow us to choosePut . On the coordinates, the mixed tensor divided by isThe particle starts with four-velocity , so the exponential terminates after its quadratic term and givesIntegrating with the particle initially at the origin gives the relativistic trajectory in a constant null crossed fieldEliminating yieldsIf the original positive direction is opposite to , both the sign of and the displayed signed coefficient reverse.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 ii Paper 1 37C d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Let be the worldline, its four-velocity, andThe relativistic Lorentz force in the constant background isBecause , its exponential terminates:The particle starts from rest, soUsing the matrix from part (c) givesIntegrating from the origin and using yields the parametric trajectoryThis is the relativistic trajectory in a constant null crossed field. The real cubic relation for is strictly increasing, so it determines uniquely as a function of coordinate time if an explicit is desired.