Some comments on the original Kaluza-Klein theory (Q1113476)
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English | Some comments on the original Kaluza-Klein theory |
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Some comments on the original Kaluza-Klein theory (English)
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1987
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In this short note the authors criticise the original assumption of 5- dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory that the geodesic equation in five dimensions gives rise to the Newton-Lorentz equation of motion for a charged body in four dimensions. Actually the Lorentz force arises in four dimensions if the particle's velocity in the fifth dimension is constant and equal to charge to mass ratio; this is a very restrictive and unattractive assumption. Moreover, a constraint on the electromagnetic field in four dimensions follows from the geodesic equation in \(d=5\) under the assumption. The constraint cannot be satisfied for a general electromagnetic field and is not gauge-invariant.
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Kaluza-Klein theory
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geodesic equation
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equation of motion
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Lorentz force
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electromagnetic field
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