Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2013) 128: 129
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2013-13129-6

Regular Article

Several energy-momentum-stress balance equations deduced from Maxwell's equations in material media. Non-covariant and explicitly covariant formulation

¹ Departamento de Física, División de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco # 186, Col. Vicentina, Apartado Postal 21-463, 04000, México D. F., Mexico
² Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 21-463, 04000, México D. F., Mexico
³ Departamento de Ingeniería, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Central de Veracruz, Av. E. Garza Sada # 1, Apartado Postal 314, 94500, Veracruz, Mexico

^* e-mail: jlj@xanum.uam.mx

Received: 10 September 2013
Accepted: 3 October 2013
Published online: 4 November 2013

Abstract

In the present article we propose an explicitly covariant formulation of several energy-momentum-stress balance equations, involving different force densities, deduced from the macroscopic Maxwell equations. These force densities depend on how Maxwell's equations are written in terms of the electromagnetic fields E, H, D, and B, and the polarizations P and M. We find that several energy-momentum-stress tensors are involved in these balance equations. The three tensors implied by these balance equations result symmetrical. In this way the old A-M controversy can be seen under a new light.