Hidden momentum, field momentum, and electromagnetic impulse
David W. Babson, Stephen P. Reynolds, Robin Bjorkquist, David J. Griffiths
Abstract
David W. Babson, Stephen P. Reynolds, Robin Bjorkquist, David J. Griffiths
Abstract
Electromagnetic fields carry energy, momentum, and angular momentum. The momentum density, ϵ0(E×B), accounts (among other things) for the pressure of light. But even static fields can carry momentum, and this would appear to contradict a general theorem that the total momentum of a closed system is zero if its center of energy is at rest. In such cases, there must be some other (nonelectromagnetic) momenta that cancel the field momentum. What is the nature of this “hidden momentum” and what happens to it when the electromagnetic fields are turned off?
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Electromagnetic fields carry energy, momentum, and angular momentum. The momentum density, ϵ0(E×B), accounts (among other things) for the pressure of light. But even static fields can carry momentum, and this would appear to contradict a general theorem that the total momentum of a closed system is zero if its center of energy is at rest. In such cases, there must be some other (nonelectromagnetic) momenta that cancel the field momentum. What is the nature of this “hidden momentum” and what happens to it when the electromagnetic fields are turned off?
Key concepts: Physics, Momentum (technical analysis), Impulse (physics), Angular momentum, Classical mechanics, Electromagnetic field, Quantum electrodynamics, Angular momentum operator