The discussion focuses on the challenges of setting up the stress-energy tensor (SET) for an electron oscillating in an electric field with frequency ω. It is established that a point particle does not possess a traditional SET, which describes a continuous distribution of matter/energy. The conversation highlights the necessity of incorporating the stress-energy of the field and constructing a charge-current 4-vector to maintain self-consistency while solving Maxwell's Equations. The participants emphasize the complexity of this problem, noting that it is not typically addressed in standard relativity textbooks.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for physics students, researchers in theoretical physics, and anyone interested in advanced topics in General Relativity and electromagnetic theory.
Devin said:How would one go about setting up the stress energy tensor for a particle
Devin said:I'm just in my beginning stages of learning the theory.
PeterDonis said:What theory? SR? GR? What sources have you used? How did this particular problem occur to you?
I'm asking because the problem you're asking about is not one that is normally encountered as an exercise in relativity textbooks; they usually ask about stress-energy tensors that are much easier to define and work with, such as the SET of a perfect fluid.