Does a linearly accelerated charge radiate? And if yes, is the electromagnetic waves emitted detectable from both its non-inertial frame and from other observing inertial frame? And If yes, doesn't this contradict with Einstein Equivalence principle?
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5$\begingroup$ The radiation of a uniformly accelerated charge is beyond the horizon: a simple derivation $\endgroup$– Alfred CentauriSep 24, 2020 at 17:27
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$\begingroup$ Are you asking about linear acceleration with arbitrary time dependence? Or uniform acceleration? $\endgroup$– G. SmithSep 24, 2020 at 17:42
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$\begingroup$ @G.Smith: The mention of EEP makes me certain that OP is interested in constant acceleration. $\endgroup$– A.V.S.Sep 24, 2020 at 20:28
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$\begingroup$ Then the OP should say so. The question is unclear because linear acceleration has nothing to do with the Equivalence Principle. $\endgroup$– G. SmithSep 24, 2020 at 22:03
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1 Answer
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Does [a] linearly accelerated charge radiate?
"It depends". Accelerating relative to whom?
Is the electromagnetic waves emitted detectable from both its non-inertial frame and from other observing inertial frame
No.
Doesn't this contradict with Einstein Equivalence principle
This is indeed an apparent paradox in GR.
The solution to the paradox is to accept and acknowledge that radiation has no absolute meaning. Which is the reason of the "it depends" to the first question. The emission and detection of radiation depends both on the motion of the source (radiation field) and on that of the observer.
An inertial observer, stationary with respect to the accelerating charge, will indeed detect the radiation.
But a comoving observer, to whom the charge is at rest, will not detect any radiation. Simple reason being that yes, in their frame the charge is not accelerating. The mathematical reason is that, when you put this in Rindler coordinates, the charge and its field are enclosed in a horizon.
answered Sep 24, 2020 at 17:43
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1$\begingroup$ Are you talking about uniform acceleration? Linear acceleration includes 1D simple harmonic motion, which certainly radiates. $\endgroup$– G. SmithSep 24, 2020 at 17:47
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$\begingroup$ @G.Smith Yes uniform acceleration, like a graviational field. $\endgroup$– SuperCiocia ♦Sep 24, 2020 at 17:47
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1$\begingroup$ OK, but the OP didn’t ask about that. They may have intended to, though. $\endgroup$– G. SmithSep 24, 2020 at 17:48
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$\begingroup$ @G.Smith Ok sorry, it seemed to me they were asking about the typical paradox of whether a free-falling charge emits radiation as seen by a free-falling observer. $\endgroup$– SuperCiocia ♦Sep 24, 2020 at 17:49
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$\begingroup$ I suspect you’re right. I suggest editing your answer to say that you are assuming uniform acceleration. $\endgroup$– G. SmithSep 24, 2020 at 17:50