Newton's 3rd Law and electric charges

AI Thread Summary
Newton's 3rd Law does not apply to electric charges in the same way it does to classical mechanics, particularly when dealing with moving charges. In the case of two identical positive charges moving perpendicular to each other, the magnetic forces they exert on one another are equal in magnitude but not opposite in direction. This results in a situation where the total mechanical momentum is not conserved due to changes in the momentum of the electromagnetic fields. The discussion highlights the complexities of applying classical laws to electromagnetic interactions. Therefore, Newton's 3rd Law requires reevaluation in the context of electric charges and their motion.
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Hi,

Is Newton's 3rd law applicable to electric charges?

I have a problem with a situation where two identical positive charges moving perpendicular to each other. The magnetic forces exerted by each one on the other have same magnitude but their directions are not opposite.
 
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NIII does not hold for moving charges. The momentum of the electromagnetic fields changes for two moving charges, so the sum of their mechanical momentum is not conserved.
 
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there is a Newton's third?
 
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