Re: Electron's magnetic field: A point of confusion

On Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:48:44 +0000, Tom Roberts wrote:

sal wrote:
Imagine two electrons, which we call A and B, initially stationary with
respect to each other.
They repel each other (of course) and start to move apart. But an
electron has a dipole magnetic field; see, e.g.,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_moment
As B moves away from A, it moves through A's magnetic field. It
therefore must feel a force perpendicular to its line of motion. The
direction of the force is not along the radius connecting A to B,
whether current, retarded, anticipated, or whatever. How can angular
momentum be conserved in this case?

The electrons radiate EM radiation. It is total angular momentum that is
conserved, and the EM field can carry it as can the electrons themselves.

That was my best guess, because (a) the electrons are accelerating so
they should radiate, and (b) because I couldn't think of anyplace else for
the missing L to go. :-)



Tom Roberts

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