Abstract
The equations of motion are obtained for closed systems of charged particles interacting with either an electric or a magnetic field. In each case they include constraints, expressed by the laws of induction, which are of importance in giving a complete specification of the systems usually treated in thermal physics. There are equivalent alternative formulations of the equations of motion, which permit designation of different subsystems; a discussion of these subsystems, their interrelationship, and their external parameters clarifies the significance and applicability of the various expressions for electrical and magnetic work that appear in the general literature. Quantum mechanical treatment of particular subsystems provides a basis for application of statistical mechanics, leading to the identification of appropriate thermodynamic potentials.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz,Electrodynamics of Continuous Media (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1963).
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz,Statistical Physics (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1970).
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz,The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1971), Chapter 3.
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz,Quantum Mechanics (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1965), Chapter 15.
E. A. Guggenheim,Proc. Roy. Soc. (Lond.) A155, 49 (1936).
E. A. Guggenheim,Proc. Roy. Soc. (Lond.) A155, 70 (1936).
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz,Mechanics (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1969), Section 41.
P. T. LandsbergThermodynamics (Interscience, New York, 1961), Section 32.
J. H. Van Vleck,The Theory of Electric and Magnetic Susceptibilities (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1932), Chapter 1.
H. J. Van Leeuwen,J. Phys. Radium (6)2, 361 (1921).
G. H. Livens,Proc. Roy. Lond. A 93, 20 (1917).
E. C. Stoner,Phil. Mag. 19, 565 (1935).
E. C. Stoner,Phil. Mag. 23, 833 (1937).
H. B. G. Casimir,Magnetism and Very Low Temperature (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1940).
H. A. Leupold,Am. J. Phys. 37, 1047 (1969).
H. A. Leupold,Am. J. Phys. 39, 1094 (1971).
H. A. Leupold,Am. J. Phys. 39, 1099 (1971).
E. A. Guggenheim,Thermodynamics, 5th ed. (North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1967).
V. Heine,Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. 52, 546 (1956).
G. H. Wannier,Statistical Physics (Wiley, New York, 1966), Section 8.2.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Howard, R. Work and energy in electrostatic and magnetic systems. Found Phys 10, 109–136 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00709018
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00709018