Unit system independent formulation of electrodynamics

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays Maxwell’s equations are formulated merely in the SI system. Physicists should also be familiar with other systems, like the systems of Gauss and Heaviside, but a comparison of equations in different systems is sometimes annoying. In a unified notation it is easier to switch from one system to another and to recognize the consequences of the chosen system. In covariant electrodynamics the comparison of the different systems is based on a frequently used representation of the pseudo-Euclidean metric with four-dimensional electromagnetic quantities. The key role between different systems have the mechanical forces between charges, currents and magnetic poles. They build the basis of the systems and their units.