Force on Moving Charge: Lorentz Transformation & Point Charge

In summary, when considering a frame with electric and magnetic fields and a single point charge, it is necessary to use Lorentz transformation to calculate the force on the charge in its rest frame. However, even if the given field is not related to its sources, the field of the point charge should not be included in the transformation as it would result in a division by 0. The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol2 Chapter 28 provides a comprehensive overview of this topic, including its historical background. It is recommended to refer to this resource for further understanding.
  • #1
QuasarBoy543298
32
2
consider a frame S with a given electric and magnetic fields , and a single point charge. if we want to calculate the force on the charge in his rest frame we should use Lorentz transformation to find the electric field in his rest frame. if we believe that a given field is not related to his sources, shouldn't we include the field of the point charge in the Lorentz transformation? (and if we do so , we get a division by 0).
 
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  • #3
You should not include the field of the charge in either frame to find the force on the charge.
 

1. What is the Lorentz Transformation?

The Lorentz Transformation is a mathematical formula used to describe how the measurements of space and time change when an observer is moving at a constant velocity relative to another observer.

2. How does the Lorentz Transformation relate to force on a moving charge?

The Lorentz Transformation is used to calculate the force on a moving charge due to the presence of an electromagnetic field. It takes into account the relativistic effects of the charge's velocity and the electric and magnetic fields.

3. What is a point charge?

A point charge is a theoretical concept used in physics to represent an electric charge that is concentrated at a single point in space. It is used to simplify calculations and is often used to model the behavior of particles such as electrons.

4. How does a point charge experience a force in an electromagnetic field?

A point charge experiences a force in an electromagnetic field due to the interaction between its electric charge and the electric and magnetic fields. The force is calculated using the Lorentz Transformation and is dependent on the charge's velocity and the strength and direction of the electric and magnetic fields.

5. Can the Lorentz Transformation be applied to other types of forces besides the force on a moving charge?

Yes, the Lorentz Transformation can be applied to other types of forces such as the force on a moving mass in a gravitational field. It is a general transformation that describes how measurements of space and time change when an observer is moving at a constant velocity relative to another observer.

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