The classical field theory of matter and electricity - The electromagnetic theory of particles

Abstract

The electromagnetic field theory developed in the previous paper is here applied to the problem of devising systems which behave as classical particles. It is found that spherically symmetrical systems can exist which, when they are stationary: (1) satisfy the static form of the extended equations at every point of space; and (2) are characterized mechanically by being everywhere in equilibrium under the sole action of the Maxwellian stress of their own field—thus they are pure electromagnetic systems subsisting free of external constraint. (3) When they are transformed so as to be in motion, the energy and momentum they possess are exactly those required for material particles by relativity theory. A rather obvious restriction made on the generality of the conditions for particle existence brought to light the possibility of a solution denoting an ‘atomic’ system built up of successive shells, each of which must contain the same energy, and net charge, as the others. The reason for such a result is that, when their very great generality is restricted in the most straightforward way, the field equations reduce to the form of a wave equation. The relation of this to the wave equation of modern theory is briefly discussed. The transformation behaviour of the field equations when a Lorentz transformation is applied to the co-ordinates is dealt with in this paper; it is found that they remain invariant in form under wider transformations of the field variables than are permitted by the classical equations. The variables may be submitted to a certain transformation without the co-ordinates being transformed at all. The physical meaning of this is investigated and an explanation of it found.