Question:
Does a stationary charge in a gravitational field radiate? If not, doesn't
this violate the equivalence principle of general relativity?
Replies:
Probably mostly correct:
I have discussed this with the local expert on general relativity. It is a
well-known problem which is extremely subtle and probably not fully
understood by anyone. Their are refereed publications in reputable journals
on this topic which my local expert believes are incorrect.
Apparently a charge held stationary relative to an accelerating space ship
will radiate, but a charge help stationary in an equivalent gravitational
field will NOT radiate and this does NOT violate the Principle of
Equivalence!
This paradox is, I believe, related to the difficulty in defining radiation
and means of detecting it, but I am not expert in this area and certainly do
not understand this paradox which, I am told, is probably the most subtle
and difficult to understand paradox in all of relativity.
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