Energy and Momentum in Electrodynamics
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| Scientific Paper | |
|---|---|
| Title | Energy and Momentum in Electrodynamics |
| Author(s) | D E McLennan |
| Keywords | kinetic energy vs potential energy in classical electrodynamics, lack of support for field momentum |
| Published | 1988 |
| Journal | Physics Essays |
| Volume | 1 |
| Number | 3 |
| Pages | 179-183 |
Abstract
The distinction between kinetic and potential energy has never been made clear in classical electrodynamics (CED). The long-range fields of CED carry potential energy only because of their intimate connection with the force laws. However, kinetic energy and momentum, which represent mass in transport, are particle not field properties and hence cannot be described by the fields of CED. It is therefore clear that the Abraham ?momentum density? <img border="0" alt="epsilon" align="bottom" src="http://physicsessays.aip.org/stockgif3/egr.gif" />0E ? B, cannot represent mass density in transport
