Did Feynman make a mistake in the drawing of moving charges?

In summary, the discussion centers around whether physicist Richard Feynman made an error in his representation of moving charges in his diagrams. Critics argue that his illustrations may lead to misunderstandings of electromagnetic principles, particularly in how they depict the behavior of charges in motion. However, supporters contend that Feynman's approach effectively conveys complex concepts and aligns with established physics, suggesting that the perceived mistakes may stem from misinterpretations rather than inaccuracies in his reasoning.
  • #1
Jaaanosik
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TL;DR Summary
Did Feynman make a mistake in the drawing of moving charges?
This is from Feynman's lectures: https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/II_26.html

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Should the (b) say F1=q1E2 and F2=q2E1?
 
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  • #2
It is an arbitrary choice. I take it that ##\mathbf{E}_1## and ##\mathbf{B}_1## are the electric and magnetic field at the position of particle 1.
 
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  • #3
DrClaude said:
It is an arbitrary choice. I take it that ##\mathbf{E}_1## and ##\mathbf{B}_1## are the electric and magnetic field at the position of particle 1.
That does not make sense.
If there is a charge ##q_3## and the field from ##q_2## would be named ##\mathbf{E}_3##?

This is more intuitive: source...

1715872622713.png
 
  • #4
Jaaanosik said:
That does not make sense.
If there is a charge ##q_3## and the field from ##q_2## would be named ##\mathbf{E}_3##?

This is more intuitive: source...

View attachment 345367
That’s completely subjective. There is nothing wrong with naming the fields at 1 ##\vec E_1## and ##\vec B_1##, respectively. In the end, there is only a single electromagnetic field so in some sense it is more natural to use that naming convention. The only reason you can split the field into contributions from different sources is that Maxwell’s equations are linear. This is not the case for all field theories.
 
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  • #5
As long as the diagrams match the text and the equations then it is not a mistake. But it certainly could be confusing even without being a mistake
 
  • #6
First of all, I would like to mention that Feynman did not draw this figure. Matthew Sands drew it. Feynman's figure we much simpler; You can see him standing by it in photo #9 of the blackboard photos that are posted with this lecture in the online edition of FLP. Secondly, it seems obvious that in this figure E_n and B_n are the electric and magnetic field at charge q_n. I see nothing confusing about this whatsoever.
 
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  • #7
Jaaanosik said:
Should the (b) say F1=q1E2 and F2=q2E1?
No, the diagram is clearly labeled, showing that E1 points left from q1 (the left arrow labeled q1E1), while the right arrow from q2 is labeled q2E2.
Jaaanosik said:
That does not make sense.
If there is a charge ##q_3## and the field from ##q_2## would be named ##\mathbf{E}_3##?
That is certainly a valid option for labeling diagrams. But note that it's not "the field from q2", it's "the field at q3".
Jaaanosik said:
This is more intuitive: source...
Not really. That source is talking about placing a test charge in a field produced by 2+ charges (for a total of 3+ charges), whereas your post is about the force of a single charge acting on a single other charge. Note that you are NOT drawing field lines from each charge in your first post (or decomposing the composite lines into their individual charge contributions), which is what they do in the diagram you linked in post #3.

The line labeled q1E1 in the first post isn't a field line, it's the electric force on the particle. Same for the q2E2 line.
 
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FAQ: Did Feynman make a mistake in the drawing of moving charges?

What was the context of Feynman's drawing of moving charges?

Feynman's drawing of moving charges is often referenced in discussions about the behavior of electric and magnetic fields. He illustrated how charges move and how they create electric and magnetic fields, which are fundamental concepts in electromagnetism. The drawing is part of his broader work in physics, particularly in quantum electrodynamics.

What specific mistake is being referred to in Feynman's drawing?

The mistake often cited is related to the depiction of how moving charges generate magnetic fields. Critics argue that Feynman's representation may oversimplify the complexities of field interactions or misrepresent the direction of the fields generated by moving charges. However, many physicists believe that the drawing effectively conveys the essential concepts despite any minor inaccuracies.

Did Feynman himself acknowledge any mistakes in his drawing?

Feynman was known for his deep understanding of physics and his ability to communicate complex ideas simply. While he did not explicitly acknowledge a mistake in the drawing of moving charges, he did emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying principles rather than getting caught up in the specifics of a diagram. He often encouraged critical thinking and questioning in the scientific process.

How do Feynman's drawings contribute to our understanding of electromagnetism?

Feynman's drawings, including those of moving charges, serve as valuable pedagogical tools that help students visualize and comprehend abstract concepts in electromagnetism. They provide intuitive insights into how charges interact and how fields are generated, making complex theories more accessible. His approach has influenced teaching methods in physics and has inspired many to explore the subject further.

Are there alternative representations of moving charges that address Feynman's drawing?

Yes, there are alternative representations and models that provide more detailed explanations of moving charges and their associated fields. For example, the use of vector fields, field lines, and computer simulations can give a clearer picture of how electric and magnetic fields behave in various scenarios. These alternatives can complement Feynman's drawings and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomena involved.

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