ABSTRACT

The main object of this chapter is to discuss the formalism underlying the covariant formulation of electrodynamics from both a mathematical and a physical standpoint. We will first consider four-vectors and tensors within the context of special relativity and introduce a few important examples. The Maxwell-Lorentz equations will then be presented in this framework. More advanced problems, including the covariant definition of the Maxwell stress tensor, the electromagnetic Lagrangian density, spinors, and dual tensors are also explored in this chapter.