Minkowski Norm

Definition: Minkowski Norm

The Minkowski norm of a vector $\vec{v}=(v_1,v_2,v_3,v_4)$ in ${\mathbb{R}}^4$ is defined as

$||\vec{v}|{|}_{\text{M}}\stackrel{\text{def}}{=}-v_1^2+v_2^2+v_3^2+v_4^2$

Definition: Timelike Component

The component $v_1$ is known as a timelike component.

Definition: Spacelike Component

The components $v_2,v_3,v_4$ are known as spacelike components.