THE EQUATIONS OF MOTION OF CLASSICAL CHARGES

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Annals of Physics (New York) (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(61)90028-8· OSTI ID:4049211

Rohrlich, F

The problem of the physical solutions of the Dirac equation for classical charges is not the usual initial value problem of Newtonian dynamics where the motion is determied by initial position and velocity. Asymptotic conditions must simultaneously be fulfilled. This undesirable feature is eliminated if one uses a set of integro-differential equations of second order as the basic equations of motion. These are equivalent to the Dirac equation together with the asymptotic conditions, and pose a Newtonian initial value problem with no further conditions. The''principle of undetectability of small charges'' which states that in the limit e yields 0 the motion of a charged particle must approach the motion of a neutral particle of the same mass can be shown to be valid on the basis of these equations, a fact, which is not generally valid for the solutions of the Dirac equations. A successive approximation procedure is developed valid for a large class of external forces. The ''noninstant'' character of the new equations is discussed and is shown to be observable in principle. But causality is not violated within the domain of validity of classical electrodynamics. One obtains a consistent theory which can have physical solutions in agreement with experiments for all nonquantam mechanical problems. (auth)

• Research Organization: State Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City
• NSA Number: NSA-15-016600
• OSTI ID: 4049211
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York) (U.S.), Journal Name: Annals of Physics (New York) (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 13; ISSN APNYA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CHARGED PARTICLES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIRAC EQUATIONS
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRODYNAMICS
MASS
MOTION
PHYSICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RELATIVITY THEORY
VELOCITY