Michel Vaugon, Benoit Vaugon, Stephane Collion, Marie Dellinger, Zoé Faget
We propose in this paper a mathematicians' view of the Kaluza-Klein idea of a five dimensional space-time unifying gravitation and electromagnetism. By considering the classification of positive Einstein curvature tensors and the classical Cauchy-Choquet-Bruhat theorems in general relativity, we introduce concepts of types and rigidity. Then, abandoning the usual requirement of a Ricci-flat five dimensional space-time, we show that a unified geometrical frame can be set for gravitation and electromagnetism, giving, by projection on the classical 4-dimensional space-time, the known Einstein-Maxwell-Lorentz equations for charged fluids. Thus, although not introducing, at least at this stage, new physics, we get a very aesthetic presentation of classical physics in the spirit of general relativity. The usual physical concepts, such as mass, energy, charge, trajectory, Maxwell-Lorentz law, are shown to be only various aspects of the geometry, for example curvature, of space-time considered as a Lorentzian manifold; that is no physical objects are introduced in space-time, no laws are given, everything is only geometry. We will then extend this setting to more than 5 dimensions, giving a precise mathematical frame for possible additional physical effects, preserving gravitation and electromagnetism. This work is therefore in the continuation of the various attempts made since Einstein, Weyl, Nordstrom, Kaluza, Klein, Rainich, Wheeler.
View original:
http://arxiv.org/abs/1010.1516
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