An introduction to the Lorentz-Dirac equation
Abstract
These notes provide two derivations of the Lorentz-Dirac equation. The first is patterned after Landau and Lifshitz and is based on the observation that the half-retarded minus half-advanced potential is entirely responsible for the radiation-reaction force. The second is patterned after Dirac, and is based upon considerations of energy-momentum conservation; it relies exclusively on the retarded potential. The notes conclude with a discussion of the difficulties associated with the interpretation of the Lorentz-Dirac equation as an equation of motion for a point charge. The presentation is essentially self-contained, but the reader is assumed to possess some elements of differential geometry (necessary for the second derivation only).
Cite
@article{arxiv.gr-qc/9912045,
title = {An introduction to the Lorentz-Dirac equation},
author = {Eric Poisson},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/9912045},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
14 pages, ReVTeX, 3 figures