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Jan23-13, 01:36 PM   #1
 

electromagnetic hamiltonian factor of 1/c question


I often see the EM Hamiltonian written as $$H=\frac1{2m}\left(\vec p-\frac ec\vec A\right)^2+e\phi,$$ but this confuses me because it doesn't seem to have the right units. Shouldn't it just be $$H=\frac1{2m}\left(\vec p-e\vec A\right)^2+e\phi,$$ since the vector potential has units of momentum per unit charge? And if so, why do so many authors put in the factor of 1/c?
 
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