New approach to radiation reaction in classical electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new energy conservation-based method to address radiation reaction in classical electrodynamics, resolving longstanding issues with self forces and constant acceleration, including a relativistic extension.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach using energy conservation to solve the radiation reaction problem and provides a relativistic generalization, advancing understanding in classical electrodynamics.

Findings

Self force affects particle motion as physically expected

Longstanding problem of constant acceleration is resolved

Relativistic generalization is successfully developed

Abstract

The problem of self forces and radiation reaction is solved by conservation of energy methods. The longstanding problem of constant acceleration is solved, and it is shown that the self force does indeed affect the particle's motion, as expected on physical grounds. The relativistic generalization is also presented.