https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2011-11059-y
Regular Article
Derivation of total linear and angular momenta from the canonical SEM tensor of electrodynamics and its consequences
Rue Montoyer 37/3, B-1000, Brussels, Belgium
* e-mail: sergecollin@hotmail.com
Received:
7
January
2011
Revised:
16
June
2011
Accepted:
18
June
2011
Published online:
28
June
2011
We decompose the canonical SEM tensor of the electrodynamics, in the presence of sources, into a part corresponding to the Maxwell-Minkowski tensor and into another part that is non-symmetric. From the latter, we derive a linear momentum density and we write the conservation law of the total linear momentum. Then, we derive an angular momentum, using the density of the linear momentum calculated before. Doing so, some terms that, thereafter, will cancel each other with terms related to the lack of symmetry of the canonical tensor, appear. Lastly, we prove that the same expression for the conservation of the total angular momentum is obtained either from the canonical tensor or from the Maxwell-Minkowski tensor. The aspects of GR and of quantization will not be considered here.
© Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer, 2011
