On the classical theory of particles

Abstract

A set of classical relativistic equations of motion of an electron in an electromagnetic field is postulated. These equations are free from ‘run-away’ solutions, and give the same results as the Maxwell-Lorentz theory for non-relativistic motions when the external electromagnetic field does not vary too rapidly. For the scattering of light by an electron, the scattering crosssection is independent of the frequency and is a universal constant. This brings out a point of difference from the Lorentz-Dirac equations according to which the scattering cross-section varies inversely as the square of the frequency of the incident light, for large frequencies. For the motion of an electron towards a fixed proton, the equations allow a collision, unlike the Lorentz-Dirac equations according to which the electron is brought to rest before it reaches the proton.