The Magnetic Force as a Kinematical Consequence of the Thomas Precession

Abstract

The requirements imposed by relativistic covariance on the physical description of two interacting classical charged particles are investigated. Because rotational pseudo-forces cannot be caused by Thomas precession, kinematical considerations demand the presence of compensatory forces when Thomas precession of an inertial reference frame is observed. The magnetic force on a moving charge is apparently one such force, where Thomas precession of the laboratory frame is seen by an observer co-moving with the charge. Other forces corresponding to the Euler and centrifugal rotational pseudo-forces are also predicted by this line of reasoning. The plausibility that an anti-centrifugal force of the Thomas precession may account for the binding of quarks into nucleons is investigated. The similarity of the magnetic force on a relativistically-moving charge in the radiative magnetic field of a nearby Coulomb-accelerating charge to the predicted anti-centrifugal force of the Thomas precession is shown.