Point-charge models and averages for electromagnetic quantities considered in two relativistic inertial frames

Electromagnetic quantities at a spacetime point have tensor Lorentz transformations between relatively-moving inertial frames. However, since the Lorentz transformation of time between inertial frames depends upon both the time and space coordinates, averages of electrodynamic quantities at a single...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of physics 2024-07, Vol.45 (4), p.45202
Main Author: Boyer, Timothy H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
inertial frames
point-charge models
special relativity
tensor transformations
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Summary:Electromagnetic quantities at a spacetime point have tensor Lorentz transformations between relatively-moving inertial frames. However, since the Lorentz transformation of time between inertial frames depends upon both the time and space coordinates, averages of electrodynamic quantities at a single time will in general depend upon the inertial frame, and will differ between inertial frames. Here we illustrate how the use of continuous charge and current distributions rather than point-charge distributions can lead to physically mystifying and even inaccurate results for electromagnetic quantities and physical phenomena. The discrepancy noted between the average electric field values in different inertial frames is particularly striking because it is first order in the relatative velocity between the frames.
ISSN:0143-0807
1361-6404
DOI:10.1088/1361-6404/ad44f6