Motion of extended charges in classical electrodynamics

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Am. J. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1119/1.10914· OSTI ID:7240103

Levine, H; Moniz, E J; Sharp, D H

The Lorentz--Dirac theory of radiation reaction on the motion of point charges is beset by the well known problems of runaway solutions and preacceleration. We examine the classical theory of extended charged particles and obtain a differential-difference type equation of motion. Analysis of this equation reveals that the theory is internally consistent (i.e., no runaways or acausality) whenever the size of the particle exceeds the classical radius (defined as the radius for which the electrostatic self-energy equals the mass of the particle). A specific example is presented which explicitly shows the different character of the extended and point charge solutions. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Nuclear Science and Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• OSTI ID: 7240103
• Journal Information: Am. J. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 45:1; ISSN AJPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
LORENTZ FORCE
MASS RENORMALIZATION
RENORMALIZATION
VELOCITY