Why, IF electrons really orbited atoms, would they lose energy?

[bananabandana]

Homework Statement

Why, IF electrons really orbited atoms, would they lose energy?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I realize they're meant to emit light. But why? I understand vaguely that the E field might be changing with time, since you have a changing magnetic flux... but where does the changing E field come from? Unless I guess it's just a self supporting process (changing B field *causes* changing E here...) - is that just what a light ray is??

Many Thanks!

 

[Gullik]

Draw up a picture of a simple atom, like a hydrogen atom. Ignore the contribution from the atom core to the electric field.

Pick a random point and write down the electric field in that point, draw it again after half a period (For the orbiting electron).

Will the electric field be different in the two pictures.

 

[bananabandana]

Oh right, for sure. The electron is at a different distance from the point! Sorry!

 

[voko]

A moving charge always produces a changing E field, that should be obvious. Take any fixed point P in space. At some time, the charge Q is at distance A from P. At some other time, Q is at distance B from P. Because A and B are different, the E field at P must also be different.