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Remarks on the physical meaning of the Lorentz-Dirac equation

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Abstract

Physical foundations for the Lorentz-Dirac equation of a classical point charge are described. It is shown that, under appropriate conditions, this equation is closely related to the ordinary Lorentz force exerted on a particle whose charge is distributed continuously inside a very small volume. A mathematical analysis of Parrott's assault on the Lorentz-Dirac equation shows that most of his claims are unjustified and the rest do not deny the physical meaning of the equation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel

    E. Comay

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  1. E. Comay
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Comay, E. Remarks on the physical meaning of the Lorentz-Dirac equation. Found Phys 23, 1121–1136 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00732416

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00732416

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