[Phys-L] Re: accelerating charge

[rlamont at POSTOFFICE.PROVIDENCE.EDU (rlamont)]

I haven't had the time to sort out the various arguments presented, but I
find the concept of a single stationary charge in a gravitational field
spontaneously radiating energy rather unnerving. But until then, I can't
quite accept the argument that it really doesn't matter because the
radiation is so small. It either radiates or it doesn't - the reference
supplied by John M is fascinating - even if it doesn't resolve the issue.
Appealing to a phantom charge to complete a "dipole" seems too easy a way
out of the dilemma since the history of the separation of charges is not
part of the argument.

Bob at PC



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Forum for Physics Educators [mailto:PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On
Behalf
> Of John Denker

> It is highly amusing to estimate how much radiation there
> will be.  It serves as a good exercise and example of
> qualitative reasoning.  You can do quite a nice job using
> little more than scaling arguments and dimensional analysis.
> You can calculate it on half a sheet of paper.  Here goes: