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Title: Comment on C. W. Wong, Maxwell equations and the redundant gauge degree of freedom 2009 Eur. J. Phys. 30, 1401-1416

Journal Article · · European Journal of Physics
OSTI ID:979917

In the paper cited in the title, the author makes the claim that in classical electromagnetic theory the longitudinal electric field is instantaneous, corresponding to action at a distance, contrary to popular and correct belief. We point out that the determination of the speed of propagation of electromagnetic fields requires specification of the initial condition of the sources or equivalent. The Coulomb field of a stationary point charge proves nothing. We describe in detail a simple example to illustrate the universal onset of the static 'instantaneous' regime throughout a region of space that expands with the speed of light.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Physics Division
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
979917
Report Number(s):
LBNL-2878E; EJPHD4; TRN: US1003406
Journal Information:
European Journal of Physics, Journal Name: European Journal of Physics; ISSN 0143-0807
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English