Two Models Relevant to the Interaction of a Point Charge and a Magnetic Moment

TL;DR

This paper presents two simple models for a magnetic moment to analyze its interaction with a point charge, questioning the completeness of current theoretical explanations and the premature adoption of the 'hidden momentum' concept.

Contribution

It introduces two distinct models for magnetic moments and critically examines the existing interpretation of their interaction with point charges.

Findings

Models show vastly different interactions with a point charge

Highlights gaps in the theoretical understanding of magnetic charge interactions

Questions the premature use of 'hidden momentum' in literature

Abstract

An understanding of the interaction of a point charge and a magnetic moment is crucial for understanding the experiments involving electromagnetic momentum carried by permeable materials as well as the experimentally-observed Aharonov-Bohm and Aharonov-Casher phase shifts. Here we present two simple models for a magnetic moment which have vastly different interactions with a distant point charge. It is suggested that a satisfactory theoretical understanding of the interaction is still lacking and that the "hidden momentum" interpretation has been introduced into the textbook literature prematurely.