Causality in classical field theories must be inserted by hand by choosing the retarded solution. It is shown how apparent contradictions in the Coulomb gauge can be resolved and that a causal Coulomb field exists despite the appearance to the contrary. Similarly, it is shown how Newtonian gravitation leads from action-at-a-distance to a causal field when a first-order correction for space–time curvature is applied.
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© 2002 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2002
American Association of Physics Teachers
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