To Foundations of Classical Electrodynamics

Abstract

In the present work foundations of the law of the energy conservation and the introduction of particles in the classical electrodynamics are discussed. We pay attention to a logic error which takes place at an interpretation of the Poynting's theorem as the law of conservation of energy. It was shown that the laws of conservation of energy and momentum of the system of electromagnetic fields and charged particles does not follow from the equations of electrodynamics and the violation of these laws is displayed at the energy change of particles. Particular examples are considered which make it possible to restrict a possible kind of fields of a non-electromagnetic origin. We hope that this work will permit to produce a more comprehensive analysis and to stimulate the next step to the development of the foundations of the classical and quantum electrodynamics.