On the definition of energy for a continuum, its conservation laws, and the energy-momentum tensor

DOI10.1155/2016/9679460zbMATH Open1357.83002arXiv1510.02616OpenAlexW2287685953WikidataQ59122607 ScholiaQ59122607MaRDI QIDQ504692FDOQ504692

Authors: Mayeul Arminjon 

Publication date: 17 January 2017

Published in: Advances in Mathematical Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We review the energy concept in the case of a continuum or a system of fields. First, we analyze the emergence of a true local conservation equation for the energy of a continuous medium, taking the example of an isentropic continuum in Newtonian gravity. Next, we consider a continuum or a system of fields in special relativity: we recall that the conservation of the energy-momentum tensor contains two local conservation equations of the same kind as before. We show that both of these equations depend on the reference frame, and that, however, they can be given a rigorous meaning. Then we review the definitions of the canonical and Hilbert energy-momentum tensors from a Lagrangian through the principle of stationary action in a general spacetime. Using relatively elementary mathematics, we prove precise results regarding the definition of the Hilbert tensor field, its uniqueness, and its tensoriality. We recall the meaning of its covariant conservation equation. We end with a proof of uniqueness of the energy density and flux, when both depend polynomially of the fields. Keywords: energy conservation; conservation equation; special relativity; general relativity; Hilbert tensor; variational principle

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1510.02616

Recommendations

• Conserved energy-momentum as a class of tensor densities
• Conservation laws for energy and momentum in curved spaces
• On the energy–momentum tensor
• Energy-momentum tensors in classical field theories - a modern perspective
• The truth about the energy-momentum tensor and pseudotensor

zbMATH Keywords

energyconservation lawscontinuumNewtonian gravityspecial relativityenergy-momentum tensor

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Applications of differential geometry to physics (53Z05) Quantum field theory on curved space or space-time backgrounds (81T20) Special relativity (83A05) Einstein's equations (general structure, canonical formalism, Cauchy problems) (83C05) Approximation procedures, weak fields in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C25) Gravitational energy and conservation laws; groups of motions (83C40) Macroscopic interaction of the gravitational field with matter (hydrodynamics, etc.) (83C55) Relativistic dynamics for problems in Hamiltonian and Lagrangian mechanics (70H40)

Cites Work

• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• General Relativity
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• General reference frames and their associated space manifolds
• Currents and the energy-momentum tensor in classical field theory: A fresh look at an old problem.
• General relativity: Relative standard mass, momentum, energy and gravitational field in a general system of reference
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• CANONICAL AND GRAVITATIONAL STRESS-ENERGY TENSORS
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Fundamentals of Thermodynamics and Applications
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Flat-space metric in general relativity theory
• A simpler solution of the non-uniqueness problem of the covariant Dirac theory
• Some remarks on quantum mechanics in a curved spacetime, especially for a Dirac particle
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Momentum density of spacetime and the gravitational dynamics
• Two simple solutions to Einstein's field equations

Cited In (1)

• New principles of work and energy as well as power and energy rate for continuum field theories.

This page was built for publication: On the definition of energy for a continuum, its conservation laws, and the energy-momentum tensor

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q504692)