homework and exercises - Show that $partial_nu T^{munu} = - j_nu F^{munu}$

In a theoretical physics homework problem, I have to show the following: $$\partial_\nu T^{\mu\nu} = - j_\nu F^{\mu\nu}$$

Where $T$ is the Energy-Momentum-Tensor, $j$ the generalized current and $F$ the Field-Tensor. We use the $g$ for the metric tensor, I think in English the $\eta$ is more common.

I know the following relationships:

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  Current and magnetic potential with Lorenz gauge condition: $$\mathop\Box A^\mu = \mu_0 j^\mu$$

  
  


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  Energy-Momentum-Tensor: $$T^{\mu\nu} = \frac1{\mu_0} g^{\mu\alpha} F_{\alpha\beta} F^{\beta\nu} + \frac1{4\mu_0} g^{\mu\nu} F_{\kappa\lambda} F^{\kappa\lambda}$$

  
  


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  Field-Tensor: $$F^{\mu\nu} = 2 \partial^{[\mu} A^{\nu]} = \partial^{\mu} A^{\nu} - \partial^{\nu} A^{\mu}$$

  
  


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  d'Alembert operator: $$\mathop\Box = \partial_\mu \partial^\mu$$

  
  


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  Bianchi identity: $$\partial^{[\mu} F^{\nu\alpha]} = 0$$

  
  

So far I have set all the definitions into the formula I have to show, but I only end up a lot of terms from antisymmetrisation and product rule. I also drew all what I have in Penrose graphical notation, but I still cannot see how to tackle this problem.

Could somebody please give me a hint into the right direction?

Answer

Let's look at different terms from differentiating $T^{\mu\nu}$.

The first from differentiating $g^{\mu\alpha} F_{\alpha\beta} F^{\beta\nu}$ is $$\partial_\nu g^{\mu\alpha} F_{\alpha\beta} F^{\beta\nu}= g^{\mu\alpha} F_{\alpha\beta} (\partial_\nu F^{\beta\nu}) +(\partial^\nu F^{\mu\beta}) F_{\beta\nu}= - \mu_0 F_{\alpha\beta} j^\beta +(\partial^\nu F^{\mu\beta}) F_{\beta\nu}$$

The first term is exactly what you want, the second cancels against the stuff you get from differentiating $g^{\mu\nu} F_{\kappa\lambda} F^{\kappa\lambda}$:

$$\partial^\mu F_{\kappa\lambda} F^{\kappa\lambda}=2 F_{\kappa\lambda} (\partial^\mu F^{\kappa\lambda})=-2 F_{\kappa\lambda} (\partial^\kappa F^{\lambda\mu}+\partial^\lambda F^{\mu\kappa}) =-4 (\partial^\nu F^{\mu\beta}) F_{\beta\nu}$$ where in the second equality sign we have used Bianchi identity and in the last equality we have used $$F_{\kappa\lambda} \partial^\kappa F^{\lambda\mu} \underset{\text{relabel indecies}}= F_{\nu\beta}\partial^\nu F^{\beta \mu} \underset{\text{antisym. of $F$}}= F_{\beta\nu}\partial^\nu F^{\mu\beta}$$ This exactly cancels the second term in the first equation.