Why must a charged particle be accelerated to produced photons?

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SUMMARY

A charged particle, such as an electron, must be accelerated to produce photons because a constant velocity does not generate propagating electromagnetic waves. When an electron moves at a constant velocity, it creates a static electric field that can be transformed into a moving electric and magnetic field through Lorentz transformation. However, this transformation does not result in the emission of photons, as there is no wave propagation involved. Only acceleration of the charge leads to the necessary changes in the electromagnetic field that result in photon production.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lorentz transformation in special relativity
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic field theory
  • Familiarity with the concept of electric and magnetic flux
  • Basic principles of wave propagation in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Explore the implications of special relativity on charged particles
  • Learn about the relationship between acceleration and radiation in electrodynamics
  • Investigate the role of electric and magnetic fields in photon production
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Physicists, students of electromagnetism, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of light and electromagnetic radiation.

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Suppose you have an electron moving at constant velocity. This new area that it is moving into initially had 0 electric flux through it but now that the electron moves to that location the electric flux is changing which in turn cause a magnetic flux ad infinitum. So why must a charge be accelerated to produce photons if a constant velocity charge is constantly introducing a change in flux to an area? Thank you
 
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If the electron is moving at constant velocity, you can Lorentz transform to a frame where the electron is not moving. Then there's only a static electric field. You can Lorentz transform back to the original frame and find a moving electric and magnetic field, but it isn't propagating as a wave.
 

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