# The significance of the pressure term within the momentum-energy tensor [duplicate]

EDIT: this question is based around my notion regarding the possible role of potential energy in the momentum energy tensor T$_{\mu\nu}$,

The answer below resolves the question and I have deleted my incorrect reasoning originally contained within the question. As the post contains an answer, I cannot delete it, which I would normally do. END EDIT.

I am confused as to where potential energy is contained within T$_{\mu\nu}$, or if it is included in the first place.

If this question is rubbish, then how do we allow for the P.E, associated with the other forces within T$_{\mu\nu}$, or do we need to?

If my question is so wrong that you can answer by simply directing me to page X of a particular textbook that provides the correct derivation of p in T$_{\mu\nu}$, that's fine and will be appreciated.

• The question I've linked explains the origin of the pressure term, along with all the other terms. NB If you don't think this is a duplicate shout and I'll reopen your question. May 23 '15 at 15:50

Potential energy has absolutely nothing to do with stress-energy or pressure. The following reference is a good source about the origin of the pressure term in the stress-energy tensor: "Momentum due to pressure: A simple model" by Kannan Jagannathan in American Journal of Physics 77, 432 (2009);  http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.3081105

Potential energy itself (and all direct action at a distance) is generally incompatible with relativity. If something gains momentum then it generally has to get the momentum from something else at the exact same time and place.

So what happens with forces such as electromagnetism is that when a positively charged particle moves in the opposite direction of the electric field it loses momentum and energy and the fields gain it. Later the energy and momentum move with the fields until it meets another charged particle, if that charged particle is positively charged and going in the direction of the electric field the particle gains energy and momentum and the fields lose it. There is no such thing as potential energy. Energy and momentum are simply transferred between different things.

Similarly for contact forces, you can exchange energy and momentum directly between objects. All of the above holds in special relativity, so also holds in very small regions of spacetime.

Now gravity is different. It's really about how different regions piece together. Firstly, different regions can be curved and hence piece together local regions in a particular way. This can happen even when the stress-energy tensor is zero.

What the stress-energy tensor does is allow spacetime to curve differently than it otherwise would.

And again it's not potential energy. It's just a curved spacetime curving the natural way or curving a different way because of the presence of stress-energy.

• thank you very much for taking the time to answer a very badly thought out question. I intend to copy your answer for my notes and then delete the question, as between your answer and the duplicate link above I have learned much more about the topic.
– user81619
May 23 '15 at 17:48