Hammond versus Ford radiation reaction force with the attractive Coulomb field

Abstract

The classical central field is analyzed within the Hammond theory of radiation reaction force. For the attractive Coulomb field, the trajectories deduced from Ford and Hammond equations are numerically obtained. Ford and Hammond equations are rewritten by using a recent correction to the non-relativistic equations for charged point particles which include a radiation reaction force term. Also, for the attractive Coulomb case, the trajectories are numerically obtained for both corrected equations. A comparison between all these trajectories is made. It is proved that Hammond equation satisfies the constraint proposed by Dirac of getting an equation of motion which should make the electron in the hydrogen atom spiralling inwards and ultimately falling into the nucleus. A further analysis of the applicability of such a theory is described for experiments particularly in Plasma Physics and some comments are made for the generalization of Hammond equation to General Relativity.