An unexpected paradox in the Kelvin ponderomotive force theory

Abstract

We show that the ubiquitous formula for ponderomotive forces due to a distribution of a polarized substance implies a non-vanishing self-force. This constitutes a striking paradox since this prediction is in startling contrast with observed phenomena. A recorded lecture on the paradox can be found on the authors’ website.

Keywords

• Electrostatics
• Magnetostatics
• Polarized substances
• Ponderomotive forces