Where is the electrostatic self-energy localized in general relativity?

TL;DR

This paper explores an alternative view that electrostatic self-energy in general relativity is localized at sources rather than in the field, proposing a new model and an experiment to distinguish it from standard theory.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach where electrostatic self-energy is attributed to matter pressure at sources, challenging the conventional Coulomb field localization in Reissner-Nordstrom geometry.

Findings

Complete analysis of spherically symmetric case

Questioning of Reissner-Nordstrom realization in nature

Proposal of an experiment to test the scenario

Abstract

We discuss an alternative way of prescribing the spacetime geometry associated with a non-radiating distribution of charged matter. It is based on the possibility that the electrostatic self-energy does not reside on the Coulombian field but in a matter pressure term of electromagnetic origin localized at the sources. We work out completely the well controlled spherically symmetric case, questioning the realization of Reissner-Nordstrom geometry in nature. Finally, we sketch an experiment that could distinguish between the standard and the alternative scenario.