Charged particle、neutral particle will hit the ground simultaneously?

In summary, when a charged particle and a neutral particle are dropped at the same time in a uniform gravitational field, they will not hit the ground simultaneously due to the radiation damping effect on the charged particle. This creates a paradox as the charged particle is both freely falling and experiencing a back reaction from its own electromagnetic field. Ultimately, the charged particle will fall more slowly than the neutral one due to the emission of electromagnetic radiation.
  • #1
magnetar
83
0
If we drop a charged particle and a neutral particle at the same time(same hight) in a uniform gravitaional field, they will hit the ground simultaneously?

on one hand:a freely falling charged particle will radiate according to a supported observer, so the radiation recoil (radiation damping) wil decelerate the charged particle,the neutral particle will hit ground first.

on the other hand : a freely falling charged particle will not radiate according to a freely falling observer,so the two particles will hit the ground simultaneously.

how to solve this paradox?
 
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  • #2
Well for starters, the back reaction on a charge involves the interaction of the charge with its own electromagnetic field so how could the charge be freely falling? In other words, a freely falling particle can only be under the influence of the "gravitational force" but the back reaction involves the Abraham-Lorentz force as well.
 
  • #3
Same answer as for your previous thread, magnetar. The electromagnetic field surrounding a charged particle is extended. Although the particle itself falls freely in the gravitational field it sees locally, distant parts of it see a different gravitational field, in which they are not freely falling.

The charged object therefore does emit electromagnetic radiation. producing a back reaction and causing the charged object to fall more slowly than the neutral one.
 

1. What are charged particles and neutral particles?

Charged particles are subatomic particles that have either a positive or negative electric charge. They can be found in atoms and molecules, and can be accelerated by electric fields. Neutral particles, on the other hand, have no electric charge and do not interact with electric fields.

2. Why do charged particles and neutral particles hit the ground simultaneously?

This is because gravity affects all objects equally, regardless of their charge. When an object is dropped from a certain height, it will accelerate towards the ground at the same rate regardless of its charge. Therefore, both charged particles and neutral particles will reach the ground at the same time.

3. Is there any difference in the speed at which charged particles and neutral particles hit the ground?

No, there is no difference in the speed at which charged particles and neutral particles hit the ground. Both particles will experience the same acceleration due to gravity and will reach the ground at the same time.

4. Can charged particles and neutral particles be affected by other forces while falling?

Yes, other forces such as air resistance can affect the motion of particles while falling. However, these forces will affect both charged and neutral particles equally, so they will still hit the ground simultaneously.

5. What would happen if there was no gravity present?

If there was no gravity present, charged particles and neutral particles would not experience any force and would continue to move in a straight line at a constant speed. They would not hit the ground simultaneously as there would be no force to accelerate them towards the ground.

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