Structure of the energy tensor in the classical electrodynamics of point particles

Journal Article · Wed Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Phys. Rev., D; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.18.3639· OSTI ID:6464632

Rowe, E G.P.

Classical electromagnetic theory provides an energy tensor defined off the particles's world line. The definition is extended to a distribution valid ''everywhere.'' The extended definition is essentially unique. The Lorentz-Dirac equation follows immediately without the appearance of infinities at any stage. In the distribution theory formulation momentum integrals over spacelike planes exist and are finite. The planes are not restricted to be orthogonal to the particles' world lines, and consequently a finite, conserved momentum integral exists for a system of charged particles. ''Self-momentum'' (the ''momentum'' due to the strongest singularities in the energy tensor) is conserved differentially for each particle separately, and the associated integral over a spacelike plane is zero. It may therefore be omitted. This justifies and generalizes the ad hoc procedure of dropping self-energy terms in electrostatics.

• Research Organization: Department of Mathematics, University of Durham, England
• OSTI ID: 6464632
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev., D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., D; (United States) Vol. 18:10; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
657002 -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIRAC EQUATION
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ENERGY
ENERGY-MOMENTUM TENSOR
EQUATIONS
MECHANICS
RENORMALIZATION
SELF-ENERGY
TENSORS
WAVE EQUATIONS