Parallel edition

On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies

By A. Einstein · Annalen der Physik (4) 17, 891–921 (1905).

Deutsch

[p. 891]
Zur Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper;

English

On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies

Deutsch

[p. 891]
von A. Einstein.

English

by A. Einstein

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[p. 892]I. Kinematischer Teil.

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I. Kinematical Part.

Deutsch

English

II. Electrodynamical Part.

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[p. 916]§ 9. Transformation der Maxwell-Hertzschen Gleichungen mit Berücksichtigung der Konvektionsströme.

English

§ 9. Transformation of the Maxwell-Hertz Equations with Consideration of Convection Currents.

Deutsch

[p. 916]Wir gehen aus von den Gleichungen:1V{uxϱ+∂X∂t}=∂N∂y−∂M∂z,1V∂L∂t=∂Y∂z−∂Z∂y,1V{uyϱ+∂Y∂t}=∂L∂z−∂N∂x,1V∂M∂t=∂Z∂x−∂X∂z,1V{uzϱ+∂Z∂t}=∂M∂x−∂L∂y,1V∂N∂t=∂X∂y−∂Y∂x,\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_x \varrho + \frac{\partial X}{\partial t} \right\} &= \frac{\partial N}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial M}{\partial z} , &\qquad \frac{1}{V} \frac{\partial L}{\partial t} &= \frac{\partial Y}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial Z}{\partial y} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_y \varrho + \frac{\partial Y}{\partial t} \right\} &= \frac{\partial L}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial N}{\partial x} , &\qquad \frac{1}{V} \frac{\partial M}{\partial t} &= \frac{\partial Z}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial X}{\partial z} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_z \varrho + \frac{\partial Z}{\partial t} \right\} &= \frac{\partial M}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial y} , &\qquad \frac{1}{V} \frac{\partial N}{\partial t} &= \frac{\partial X}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial Y}{\partial x} , \end{aligned}Speed of lightCharge velocity (stationary system)Charge density, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemTime in the stationary systemMagnetic field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemMagnetic field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemMagnetic field, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemCharge velocity (stationary system)Position in the stationary systemCharge velocity (stationary system)Explain this equation wobeiϱ=∂X∂x+∂Y∂y+∂Z∂z\varrho = \frac{\partial X}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial Z}{\partial z}Charge density, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemExplain this equation die 4π4\pi-fache Dichte der Elektrizität und (ux,uy,uz)(u_x, u_y, u_z) den Geschwindigkeitsvektor der Elektrizität bedeutet. Denkt man sich die elektrischen Massen unveränderlich an kleine, starre Körper (Ionen, Elektronen) gebunden, so sind diese Gleichungen die elektromagnetische Grundlage der Lorentzschen Elektrodynamik und Optik bewegter Körper.

English

We start from the equations: 1V{uxϱ+∂X∂t}=∂N∂y−∂M∂z,1V∂L∂t=∂Y∂z−∂Z∂y,1V{uyϱ+∂Y∂t}=∂L∂z−∂N∂x,1V∂M∂t=∂Z∂x−∂X∂z,1V{uzϱ+∂Z∂t}=∂M∂x−∂L∂y,1V∂N∂t=∂X∂y−∂Y∂x,\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_x \varrho + \frac{\partial X}{\partial t} \right\} &= \frac{\partial N}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial M}{\partial z} , &\qquad \frac{1}{V} \frac{\partial L}{\partial t} &= \frac{\partial Y}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial Z}{\partial y} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_y \varrho + \frac{\partial Y}{\partial t} \right\} &= \frac{\partial L}{\partial z} - \frac{\partial N}{\partial x} , &\qquad \frac{1}{V} \frac{\partial M}{\partial t} &= \frac{\partial Z}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial X}{\partial z} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_z \varrho + \frac{\partial Z}{\partial t} \right\} &= \frac{\partial M}{\partial x} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial y} , &\qquad \frac{1}{V} \frac{\partial N}{\partial t} &= \frac{\partial X}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial Y}{\partial x} , \end{aligned}Speed of lightCharge velocity (stationary system)Charge density, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemTime in the stationary systemMagnetic field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemMagnetic field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemMagnetic field, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemCharge velocity (stationary system)Position in the stationary systemCharge velocity (stationary system)Explain this equation where ϱ=∂X∂x+∂Y∂y+∂Z∂z\varrho = \frac{\partial X}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial Y}{\partial y} + \frac{\partial Z}{\partial z}Charge density, stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemElectric field, stationary systemPosition in the stationary systemExplain this equation denotes 4π4\pi times the density of electricity, and (ux,uy,uz)(u_x, u_y, u_z) the velocity vector of electricity. If we imagine the electric masses to be invariably bound to small rigid bodies (ions, electrons), these equations are the electromagnetic foundation of Lorentz’s electrodynamics and optics of moving bodies.

Deutsch

[pp. 916–917]Transformiert man diese Gleichungen, welche im System KK gelten mögen, mit Hilfe der Transformationsgleichungen von § 3 und § 6 auf das System kk, so erhält man die Gleichungen:1V{uξϱ′+∂X′∂τ}=∂N′∂η−∂M′∂ζ,∂L′∂τ=∂Y′∂ζ−∂Z′∂η,1V{uηϱ′+∂Y′∂τ}=∂L′∂ζ−∂N′∂ξ,∂M′∂τ=∂Z′∂ξ−∂X′∂ζ,1V{uζϱ′+∂Z′∂τ}=∂M′∂ξ−∂L′∂η,∂N′∂τ=∂X′∂η−∂Y′∂ξ,\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_\xi \varrho' + \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \tau} \right\} &= \frac{\partial N'}{\partial \eta} - \frac{\partial M'}{\partial \zeta} , &\qquad \frac{\partial L'}{\partial \tau} &= \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \zeta} - \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \eta} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_\eta \varrho' + \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \tau} \right\} &= \frac{\partial L'}{\partial \zeta} - \frac{\partial N'}{\partial \xi} , &\qquad \frac{\partial M'}{\partial \tau} &= \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \xi} - \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \zeta} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_\zeta \varrho' + \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \tau} \right\} &= \frac{\partial M'}{\partial \xi} - \frac{\partial L'}{\partial \eta} , &\qquad \frac{\partial N'}{\partial \tau} &= \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \eta} - \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \xi} , \end{aligned}Speed of lightCharge velocity (moving system)Charge density, moving systemElectric field, moving systemTime in the moving systemMagnetic field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemMagnetic field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemMagnetic field, moving systemElectric field, moving systemElectric field, moving systemCharge velocity (moving system)Position in the moving systemCharge velocity (moving system)Explain this equationSo printed. Read: (1/V) dL'/dτ = dY'/dζ - dZ'/dη , (1/V) dM'/dτ = dZ'/dξ - dX'/dζ , (1/V) dN'/dτ = dX'/dη - dY'/dξ. In the transformed system of section 9, the three right-hand equations (the magnetic ones) are printed without the factor 1/V before the time derivative. The record in the correction log wobeiux−v1−uxvV2=uξ,uyβ(1−uxvV2)=uη,ϱ′=∂X′∂ξ+∂Y′∂η+∂Z′∂ζ=β(1−vuxV2)ϱ.uzβ(1−uxvV2)=uζ.\begin{aligned} \frac{u_x - v}{1 - \frac{u_x v}{V^2}} &= u_\xi , \\ \frac{u_y}{\beta \left( 1 - \frac{u_x v}{V^2} \right)} &= u_\eta , &\qquad \varrho' = \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \xi} + \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \eta} + \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \zeta} = \beta \left( 1 - \frac{v u_x}{V^2} \right) \varrho . \\ \frac{u_z}{\beta \left( 1 - \frac{u_x v}{V^2} \right)} &= u_\zeta . \end{aligned}Charge velocity (stationary system)Speed of the moving systemSpeed of lightCharge velocity (moving system)Charge velocity (stationary system)Lorentz factorCharge velocity (moving system)Charge density, moving systemElectric field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemElectric field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemElectric field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemCharge density, stationary systemCharge velocity (stationary system)Charge velocity (moving system)Explain this equation Da — wie aus dem Additionstheorem der Geschwindigkeiten (§ 5) folgt — der Vektor (uξ,uη,uζ)(u_\xi, u_\eta, u_\zeta) nichts anderes ist als die Geschwindigkeit der elektrischen Massen im System kk gemessen, so ist damit gezeigt, daß unter Zugrundelegung unserer kinematischen Prinzipien die elektrodynamische Grundlage der Lorentzschen Theorie der Elektrodynamik bewegter Körper dem Relativitätsprinzip entspricht.

English

If these equations, which are to hold in the system KK, are transformed to the system kk with the help of the transformation equations of § 3 and § 6, we obtain the equations: 1V{uξϱ′+∂X′∂τ}=∂N′∂η−∂M′∂ζ,∂L′∂τ=∂Y′∂ζ−∂Z′∂η,1V{uηϱ′+∂Y′∂τ}=∂L′∂ζ−∂N′∂ξ,∂M′∂τ=∂Z′∂ξ−∂X′∂ζ,1V{uζϱ′+∂Z′∂τ}=∂M′∂ξ−∂L′∂η,∂N′∂τ=∂X′∂η−∂Y′∂ξ,\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_\xi \varrho' + \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \tau} \right\} &= \frac{\partial N'}{\partial \eta} - \frac{\partial M'}{\partial \zeta} , &\qquad \frac{\partial L'}{\partial \tau} &= \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \zeta} - \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \eta} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_\eta \varrho' + \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \tau} \right\} &= \frac{\partial L'}{\partial \zeta} - \frac{\partial N'}{\partial \xi} , &\qquad \frac{\partial M'}{\partial \tau} &= \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \xi} - \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \zeta} , \\ \frac{1}{V} \left\{ u_\zeta \varrho' + \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \tau} \right\} &= \frac{\partial M'}{\partial \xi} - \frac{\partial L'}{\partial \eta} , &\qquad \frac{\partial N'}{\partial \tau} &= \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \eta} - \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \xi} , \end{aligned}Speed of lightCharge velocity (moving system)Charge density, moving systemElectric field, moving systemTime in the moving systemMagnetic field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemMagnetic field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemMagnetic field, moving systemElectric field, moving systemElectric field, moving systemCharge velocity (moving system)Position in the moving systemCharge velocity (moving system)Explain this equation where ux−v1−uxvV2=uξ,uyβ(1−uxvV2)=uη,ϱ′=∂X′∂ξ+∂Y′∂η+∂Z′∂ζ=β(1−vuxV2)ϱ.uzβ(1−uxvV2)=uζ.\begin{aligned} \frac{u_x - v}{1 - \frac{u_x v}{V^2}} &= u_\xi , \\ \frac{u_y}{\beta \left( 1 - \frac{u_x v}{V^2} \right)} &= u_\eta , &\qquad \varrho' = \frac{\partial X'}{\partial \xi} + \frac{\partial Y'}{\partial \eta} + \frac{\partial Z'}{\partial \zeta} = \beta \left( 1 - \frac{v u_x}{V^2} \right) \varrho . \\ \frac{u_z}{\beta \left( 1 - \frac{u_x v}{V^2} \right)} &= u_\zeta . \end{aligned}Charge velocity (stationary system)Speed of the moving systemSpeed of lightCharge velocity (moving system)Charge velocity (stationary system)Lorentz factorCharge velocity (moving system)Charge density, moving systemElectric field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemElectric field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemElectric field, moving systemPosition in the moving systemCharge density, stationary systemCharge velocity (stationary system)Charge velocity (moving system)Explain this equation Since — as follows from the addition theorem of velocities (§ 5) — the vector (uξ,uη,uζ)(u_\xi, u_\eta, u_\zeta) is nothing other than the velocity of the electric masses measured in the system kk, it is thereby shown that, on the basis of our kinematical principles, the electrodynamic foundation of Lorentz’s theory of the electrodynamics of moving bodies is in accordance with the principle of relativity.

Deutsch

[p. 917]Es möge noch kurz bemerkt werden, daß aus den entwickelten Gleichungen leicht der folgende wichtige Satz gefolgert werden kann: Bewegt sich ein elektrisch geladener Körper beliebig im Raume und ändert sich hierbei seine Ladung nicht, von einem mit dem Körper bewegten Koordinatensystem aus betrachtet, so bleibt seine Ladung auch — von dem „ruhenden“ System KK aus betrachtet — konstant.

English

It may also be briefly remarked that the following important theorem can easily be deduced from the equations developed: If an electrically charged body moves in any manner in space and its charge, regarded from a coordinate system moving with the body, does not change in the process, then its charge also remains — regarded from the “stationary” system KK — constant.

Deutsch

[p. 921]
Zum Schlusse bemerke ich, daß mir beim Arbeiten an dem hier behandelten Probleme mein Freund und Kollege M. Besso treu zur Seite stand und daß ich demselben manche wertvolle Anregung verdanke.

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In conclusion I remark that in working on the problem treated here my friend and colleague M. Besso stood loyally by my side, and that I owe him several valuable suggestions.

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[p. 921]
Bern, Juni 1905.

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Bern, June 1905.

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[p. 921]
(Eingegangen 30. Juni 1905.)

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(Received 30 June 1905.)