  In this paper we calculate the Casimir-Polder force density (force per unit
area acting on the elements of the surface) on a metallic plate placed in front
of a neutral atom. To obtain the force density we use the quantum operator
associated to the electromagnetic stress tensor. We explicitly show that the
integral of this force density over the plate reproduces the total force acting
on the plate. This result shows that, although the force is obtained as a sum
of surface element-atom contributions, the stress-tensor method includes also
nonadditive components of Casimir-Polder forces in the evaluation of the force
acting on a macroscopic object.
