NOTATIONS.

Let a rectangular system (x, y, z, t,) of reference be given in space and time. The unit of time shall be chosen in such a manner with reference to the unit of length that the velocity of light in space becomes unity.

Although I would prefer not to change the notations used by Lorentz, it appears important to me to use a different selection of symbols, for thereby certain homogeneity will appear from the very beginning. I shall denote the vector electric force by E, the magnetic induction by M, the electric induction by e and the magnetic force by m, so that (E, M, e, m) are used instead of Lorentz’s (E, B, D, H) respectively.

I shall further make use of complex magnitudes in a way which is not yet current in physical investigations, i.e., instead of operating with (t), I shall operate with (i t), where i denotes √(-1). If now instead of (x, y, z, i t), I use the method of writing with indices, certain essential circumstances will come into evidence; on this will be based a general use of the suffixes (1, 2, 3, 4). The advantage of this method will be, as I expressly emphasize here, that we shall have to handle symbols which have apparently a purely real appearance; we can however at any moment pass to real equations if it is understood that of the symbols with indices, such ones as have the suffix 4 only once, denote imaginary quantities, while those which have not at all the suffix 4, or have it twice denote real quantities.

An individual system of values of (x, y, z, t) i. e., of (x₁ x₂ x₃ x₄) shall be called a space-time point.

Further let u denote the velocity vector of matter, ε the dielectric constant, μ the magnetic permeability, σ the conductivity of matter, while ρ denotes the density of electricity in space, and x the vector of “Electric Current” which we shall some across in [§7] and [§8].

PART I
§ 2.
The Limiting Case.
The Fundamental Equations for Äther.

By using the electron theory, Lorentz in his above mentioned essay traces the Laws of Electro-dynamics of Ponderable Bodies to still simpler laws. Let us now adhere to these simpler laws, whereby we require that for the limiting case ε = 1, μ = 1, σ = 0, they should constitute the laws for ponderable bodies. In this ideal limiting case ε = 1, μ = 1, σ = 0, E will be equal to e, and M to m. At every space time point (x, y, z, t) we shall have the equations[[15]]

(i) Curl m - (δe/δt) = ρu

(ii) div e = ρ