Issues

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1979

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May

  

Methodological notes


Virial theorem for a system of charged particles


National Research Centre ‘Kurchatov Institute’, pl. akad. Kurchatova 1, Moscow, 123182, Russian Federation

Two formulations of the virial theorem are used in practice: one for separate particles and one for a continuous medium. The virial theorem for a system of charged particles which was given by Landau and Lifshitz in their book \emph{The Classical Theory of Fields} should incorporate both these formulations. However, there is an error there in the derivation of this theorem, which is based on transformation from a discussion in terms of particles to a discussion in terms of a continuous medium. Specifically, the selfeffect force of the charges is not eliminated. As a result, the infinite self-energy of the charges is not eliminated, and the corresponding final equation cannot be satisfied. In the present note, a refined formulation of the virial theorem for a system of charged particles is given. The renormalization of the total electromagnetic field energy is taken into account.

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Fulltext is also available at DOI: 10.1070/PU1979v022n05ABEH005500
PACS: 03.50.Kk
DOI: 10.1070/PU1979v022n05ABEH005500
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1979/5/e/
Citation: Shafranov V D "Virial theorem for a system of charged particles" Sov. Phys. Usp. 22 368–370 (1979)
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Îðèãèíàë: Øàôðàíîâ Â Ä «Î òåîðåìå âèðèàëà äëÿ ñèñòåìû çàðÿæåííûõ ÷àñòèö» ÓÔÍ 128 161–164 (1979); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0128.197905f.0161

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