Abstract
Radiation reaction in classical electrodynamics is studied using as a simple model a rotating sphere with rigid surface charge. Because of the transparent geometric nature of the problem, we obtain an exact integral expression for the “self-torque”, which depends causally and linearly on the angular speed. This leads to a linear equation of motion, which does not have any runaway solutions, as long as no negative mechanical moment-of-inertia is added to the system. The results are illustrated with a few examples corresponding to predetermined motions and external torques.
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References
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The following two articles on the radiation reaction problem are closely connected with the present article: Daboul, J., Jensen, J. H. D.: Z. Physik,265, 479–486 (1973), hereafter quoted as II, and Daboul, J.: To be submitted to Z. Physik for publication, hereafter quoted as III
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Deceased.
The present and the following two articles grew out of my Master's Thesis, which I wrote in 1963 under the supervision of Prof. Jensen. I am grateful to Prof. Jensen and Prof. Stech for having invited me to Heidelberg last summer. This fortunate opportunity enabled me to discuss with Prof. Jensen the problems dealt with in the first two articles. He read only the rough draft of this article and the first part of the second article.
I would like to thank Prof. T. Erber, who encouraged me to pursue the problems dealt with in this thesis and was kind enough to read the articles and make useful suggestions.
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Daboul, J., Jensen, J.H.D. Radiation reaction for a rotating sphere with rigid surface charge. Z. Physik 265, 455–478 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01391802
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01391802