Advanced action in classical electrodynamics

Abstract

The time evolution of a charged point particle is governed by a second-order integro-differential equation that exhibits advanced effects, in which the particle responds to an external force before the force is applied. In this paper we give a simple physical argument that clarifies the origin and physical meaning of these advanced effects, and we compare ordinary electrodynamics with a toy model of electrodynamics in which advanced effects do not occur.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure