Why is it interesting?

When we get to gauge theories we will see that Maxwell's equations are a special case of the Yang-Mills equations, which describe not only electromagnetism but also the strong and weak nuclear forces. A generalization of the identity $d^2=0$, the Bianchi identity, implies conservation of "charge" in all these theories - although these theories have different kinds of "charge". Similarly, we will see when we get to general relativity that due to the Bianchi identity, Einstein's equations for gravity automatically imply local conservation of energy and momentum!

page 96 in Gauge fields, knots, and gravity by John Baez

The boundary of a boundary is zero John Wheeler

The Bianchi identities have a close connection the Noether's second theorem.

Layman?

Student

• See chapter 15 in "Gravitation" by Misner Thorne and Wheeler and also
• page 253 in Gauge fields, knots, and gravity by J. Baez

Researcher

Common Question 1

Common Question 2

Examples

Example1

Example2:

History