[Physics] Relation between EM scalar potential and EM vector potential

classical-electrodynamicselectromagnetic-radiationelectromagnetismfield-theorypotential

I am doing caculation using $\phi$ and $\mathbf{A}$, however I can't find the relation between $\phi$ and $\mathbf{A}$. For E and B we have

\begin{align}
\frac{{{d^2}E\left( x \right)}}{{d{x^2}}} + \frac{{{\omega ^2}}}{{{c^2}}}E\left( x \right) &= 0\\
\frac{{{d^2}B\left( x \right)}}{{d{x^2}}} + \frac{{{\omega ^2}}}{{{c^2}}}B\left( x \right) &= 0
\end{align}

in vacuum for 1-D case. Given $E(0) = E_0$ and $E'(0) = ik E_0$, the solution for E is $E(x) = E_0 e^{ikx}$. And we can find solution for B is $B(x) = \frac{E_0}{c} e^{ikx} $ for there is $|E|=c|B|$ in SI unit.

But I can't find the realtion between $A$ and $\phi$ similar to E and B for
\begin{align}
\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\varphi}{\partial t^2} – \nabla^2{\varphi} &= 0\\
\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf A}{\partial t^2} – \nabla^2{\mathbf A} &= 0
\end{align}

using Lorenz gauge.

What is the relation between $A$ and $\phi$ besides gauge condition?

Best Answer

What is the relation between A and ϕ besides gauge condition?

Maxwell's equations in vacuum are, in terms of $\phi$ and $\mathbf{A}$:

$$\nabla^2\phi + \frac{\partial}{\partial t}\left(\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A}\right) = 0$$

$$\left(\nabla^2 \mathbf{A} - \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{A}}{\partial t^2}\right) - \nabla\left(\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A} + \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial\phi}{\partial t}\right) = 0 $$

Since $\frac{\partial\phi}{\partial t}$ and $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A}$ are gauge degrees of freedom, it looks like the answer to your question is none.

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