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Starting with this generalized formula for a electric field created by a point charge: $$\vec{E} =\frac{q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0} \frac{r}{\left(\vec{r}\cdot\vec{u}\right)^3} [(c^2 − v^2)\vec{u} + \vec{r} × (\vec{u} × \vec{a})] \tag1$$

I was able to show that the electric field of point charge $q$ is constrained to move along the $x$ axis with velocity $v$ is:

$$\vec{E} = \frac{q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0} \frac{1}{r^2} \left(\frac{c + v}{c - v}\right)\tag2$$

However, according to what I deducted from "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by David J. Griffiths, when a point charge $q$ moves along $x$ axis with velocity $v$, without being constrained the electric field is:

$$\vec{E} = \frac{q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0} \frac{1 - \frac{v^2}{c^2}}{\left(1-\frac{v^2 \sin^2\left (\theta \right)}{c^2}\right)^{3/2}} \frac{\hat{R}}{R^2}\tag3$$

$\theta$ is the angle between $\vec{v}$ and $\vec{R}$, if $\theta = 0$, wouldn't it be the case where a point charge is contrained? If so, wouldn't give the exact same electric field?

When I plug $\theta = 0$, I get $$\vec{E} = \frac{q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0} \frac{1 - \frac{v^2}{c^2}}{R^2}\hat{R}\tag4,$$ which clearly isn't the same as (2).

Is my reasoning wrong or is it supposed to be different?

BioPhysicist
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RKerr
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  • $\theta=0$ just means that you are only looking at the field along the direction of the velocity. It doesn't determine the direction the particle is moving. – BioPhysicist Dec 30 '19 at 16:19
  • $\mathbf{R}$ is the position vector of the field point with respect to the present position, while $\mathbf{r}$ is the position vector of the field point with respect to the retarded position. Your equation (2) yields the electric field on a point on the $x-$ axis to the right of the charge $q$. To derive equation (2) from equation (4) you must find how $R$ and $r$ are related for a field point on the $x-$axis to the right of the charge $q$. See also Problem 10.18 in the 3rd edition of 'Introduction to Electrodynamics' by David J. Griffiths. – Frobenius Dec 31 '19 at 07:56
  • @Frobenius Ahhh! I understand it know, thank you very much! – RKerr Jan 01 '20 at 16:06

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