It is shown that energy and momentum are conserved during the runaway motion of a radiating charge and during free fall of a charge in a gravitational field. The runaway motion demonstrates the consistency of classical electrodynamics and the Lorentz–Abraham–Dirac equation. The important role of the Schott (acceleration) energy in this connection is made clear, and it is shown that the Schott energy is the part of the electromagnetic field energy that is proportional to (minus) the scalar product of the velocity and acceleration of a moving accelerated charged particle. The Schott energy is negative if the acceleration is in the same direction as the velocity and positive if it is opposite. During runaway motion, the Schott energy becomes more and more negative, and for a charged particle, it is localized at the particle. It is also shown that a proton and a neutron fall with the same acceleration in a uniform gravitational field, although the proton radiates and the neutron does not. The radiation energy comes from the Schott energy.
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January 2011
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January 01 2011
The significance of the Schott energy for energy-momentum conservation of a radiating charge obeying the Lorentz–Abraham–Dirac equation Available to Purchase
Ø. Grøn
Ø. Grøn
Faculty of Engineering,
Oslo University College
, P.O. Box 4, St. Olavs Plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway
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Ø. Grøn
Faculty of Engineering,
Oslo University College
, P.O. Box 4, St. Olavs Plass, N-0130 Oslo, NorwayAm. J. Phys. 79, 115–122 (2011)
Article history
Received:
March 28 2010
Accepted:
August 21 2010
Citation
Ø. Grøn; The significance of the Schott energy for energy-momentum conservation of a radiating charge obeying the Lorentz–Abraham–Dirac equation. Am. J. Phys. 1 January 2011; 79 (1): 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3488985
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