The subtleties in the derivation of the retarded Liénard–Wiechert potential for a point charge are stressed by explicitly computing and drawing the retarded shape of a moving sphere. This shape is the effective integration region for the charge density and it is computed, with the aid of the ‘‘information collecting sphere,’’ in the limit of vanishing radius (or, equivalently, from the point of view of a remote observer).
Topics
Electromagnetism
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1992 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1992
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.
