How to derive Lienard-Wiechert potential from Maxwell's equation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the Lienard-Wiechert potentials from Maxwell's equations, highlighting the need for familiarity with relativistic formalism and retarded Green's functions. Jackson's derivation in chapter 14 is mentioned as a rigorous approach, utilizing the equations for the four-potential and current density. Additionally, Griffiths' "Electrodynamics" provides an intuitive and self-contained derivation in chapter 10, which is recommended for those less comfortable with advanced manipulations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Relativistic formalism, including four-vectors
  • Understanding of retarded Green's functions
  • Familiarity with Maxwell's equations
  • Basic knowledge of electrodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Jackson's derivation of Lienard-Wiechert potentials in chapter 14
  • Examine Griffiths' "Electrodynamics" for an intuitive derivation in chapter 10
  • Research the manipulation of four-vectors in electrodynamics
  • Explore retarded Green's functions and their applications in physics
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Physicists, graduate students in electromagnetism, and anyone seeking a rigorous understanding of Lienard-Wiechert potentials and their derivation from Maxwell's equations.

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I've seen one derivation on Feynman Lectures on Physics, but the derivation is not really rigorous(he took a very special case for the derivation),I googled about the topic and couldn't find a satisfactory one. So can anybody give me a rigorous one?
Thanks in advance
 
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Jackson derives it in 6 equations at the start of chapter 14, but you need to be familiar with the relativistic formalism (current and potential as four-vectors) and retarded Green's functions. If you are familiar with these, than the LW potentials follow from:

\mathbf{A} = \frac{4\pi}{c} \int d^4x' G(x-x') \mathbf{J}(x')

\mathbf{J}(x') = \int d\tau \mathbf{v}(\tau) \delta^4(x' - r(\tau))

where r is the trajectory (four-vector), and v is the four-velocity. All you do is sub the second eq into the first and crank it out to derive the LW potentials.
 
Thanks.But I'm not quite familiar with the manipulation of those, I'll give a shot.
And are there any other derivations avaliable?
 
I'm not a big fan of Griffiths, but his "Electrodynamics" text has a pretty good derivation of it in chapter 10 - self contained and quite intuitive.


-----
Assaf
http://www.physicallyincorrect.com"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ozymandias said:
I'm not a big fan of Griffiths, but his "Electrodynamics" text has a pretty good derivation of it in chapter 10 - self contained and quite intuitive.


-----
Assaf
http://www.physicallyincorrect.com"
Thanks, I will have a look at it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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