A vector in four-dimensional space (Minkowski space) in special relativity. It has three spatial components and one time component, and undergoes the same transformations as the four-dimensional coordinates ( x , y , z , t ) through the Lorentz transformations. If the velocity vector in three-dimensional space is v , then (γ v x , γ v y , γ v z , γ) is a four-vector, called the four-velocity. Here, c is the speed of light in a vacuum. The product of the four-velocity and the rest mass m 0 ( m 0 γ v x , m 0 γ v y , m 0 γ v z , m 0 γ) is a four-vector, called the four-momentum. The product of this time component and c 2 is the relativistic energy of the object. If the force vector in three-dimensional space is f , then (γ f x , γ f y , γ f z , γ( f・v )/ c2 ) is a four-vector, known as a four-force. The product of its time component and c2 is the power exerted on the object. Current density and charge density form a four-vector, known as a four-current. The vector potential and scalar potential of electromagnetic waves form a four-vector, but the electric field vector and magnetic field vector are not spatial components of a four-vector, but rather are components of a second-order antisymmetric tensor in Minkowski space. Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information |
特殊相対性理論における四次元空間 (ミンコフスキー空間 ) のベクトル。3個の空間成分と1個の時間成分とをもち,ローレンツ変換によって四次元空間の座標 (x,y,z,t) と同じ変換を受ける。三次元空間の速度ベクトルを v とし, とすると,(γvx,γvy,γvz,γ) は四元ベクトルで,これを四元速度という。ただし c は真空中の光速度である。四元速度と静止質量 m0 との積 (m0γvx,m0γvy,m0γvz,m0γ) は四元ベクトルで,これを四元運動量という。その時間成分と c2 との積は物体の相対論的エネルギーである。三次元空間の力のベクトルを f とすると,(γfx,γfy,γfz,γ(f・v)/c2) は四元ベクトルで,これを四元力という。その時間成分と c2 との積は物体になされる仕事率である。電流密度と電荷密度とは四元ベクトルをつくり,四元電流と呼ばれる。電磁波のベクトルポテンシャルとスカラーポテンシャルは四元ベクトルをつくるが,電場ベクトルと磁場ベクトルとは,四元ベクトルの空間成分ではなく,ミンコフスキー空間における2階の反対称テンソルの成分である。
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