Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
8954752 Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 2018 11 Pages PDF
Abstract
In electromagnetism, as in Newton's mechanics, action is always equal to reaction. The force from the electromagnetic field on matter is balanced by an equal and opposite force from matter on the field. We generally speak only of forces exerted by the field, not forces exerted upon the field. But, we should not be hesitant to speak of forces acting on the field. The electromagnetic field closely resembles a relativistic fluid and responds to forces in the same way. Analyzing this analogy sheds light on the inertial role played by the field's mass, the status of Maxwell's stress tensor, and the nature of the electromagnetic field.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Physics and Astronomy Physics and Astronomy (General)
Authors
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