Derivation of Maxwell's Equations via the Feynman–Dyson Proof and Its Relativistic Generalization

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19136/jobs.a11n32.6637

Keywords:

Maxwell's equations, Poisson brackets, Feynman-Dyson proof, Minimal coupling

Abstract

This work offers a detailed and conceptually transparent reconstruction of Feynman's derivation of Maxwell's equations, based on Newton's second law and the use of Poisson brackets between coordinates and velocities in Euclidean space. While pedagogically motivated, our approach is technically rigorous and clarifies the foundational assumptions underlying both the original and relativistic versions of the derivation. We begin by revisiting the Lorentz force law in a classical Euclidean framework and then reformulate it covariantly using Minkowskian tensor calculus, incorporating the minimal coupling prescription as formally established by Montesinos and Perez-Lorenzana. Their contribution highlights how Feynman's proof can be reconciled with a general and systematic application of the minimal coupling principle.

References

[1] Freeman J Dyson. “Feynman’s proof of the Maxwell equation”. En: American Journal of Physics (1989).

[2] Arvind Vaidya y Carlos Farina. “Can Galilean mechanics and full Maxwell equations coexist peacefully?” En: Physics Letters A (1991).

[3] I. E. Farquhar. “Comment on “Feynman’s proof of the Maxwell equations” by Freeman J. Dyson [Am. J. Phys. 58, 209-211 (1990)]”. En: American Journal of Physics (1991).

[4] Shogo Tanimura. “Relativistic Generalization and Extension to the Non-Abelian Gauge Theory of Feynman’s Proof of the Maxwell Equations”. En: Annals of Physics (1992).

[5] Martin C. Land, Nissan Shnerb y Lawrence P. Horwitz.“On Feynman’s Approach to the Foundations of Gauge Theory”. En: Foundations of Physics (1993).

[6] Merced Montesinos y Abdel Perez-Lorenzana. “Minimal Coupling and Feynman’s Proof”. En: J. Theor. Phys. (1999).

[7] Norman Dombey. “Comment on “Feynman’s proof of the Maxwell equations” by Freeman J. Dyson [Am. J. Phys. 58, 209-211 (1990)”. En: American Journal of Physics (1991).

[8] Ildeu de Castro Moreira. “Comment on “Feynman’s proof of the Maxwell equations” by R. J. Hughes [Am. J. Phys. 60, 301-306 (1992)]”. En: American Journal of Physics (1993).

[9] Paul Bracken. “Poisson Brackets and the Feynman Problem”. En: International Journal of Theoretical Physics (1996).

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Published

2025-12-12

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Section

Artículo científico

How to Cite

Manuel Cabrera, J., Arias Jiménez, S. A. ., Lopez Arellano, C. M. ., & Paulin Fuentes, J. M. (2025). Derivation of Maxwell’s Equations via the Feynman–Dyson Proof and Its Relativistic Generalization. JOURNAL OF BASIC SCIENCES, 11(32), 52-67. https://doi.org/10.19136/jobs.a11n32.6637