The role of the Thomas precession in the dynamic formation of the electric field lines of a moving charged particle is demonstrated. A simple derivation of the Thomas precession formula is given, based only on the Lorentz contraction of moving bodies. A simple and physically appealing construction is developed for determining points on a field line. Field line diagrams are generated and discussed. These diagrams vividly reveal the existence and magnitude of the Thomas precession.
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© 1996 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1996
American Association of Physics Teachers
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