Abstract. We investigate the possible existence of nonradiating motions of systems of point charges, according to classical electrodynamics with retarded potentials. We prove that two point particles of arbitrary electric charges cannot move for an infinitely long time within a finite region of space without radiating electromagnetic energy. We show however with an example that nonradiating accelerated motions of systems of point charges do in general exist.

PACS numbers: 03.50.De, 41.60.−m

Print publication: Issue 33 (22 August 2008)
Received 14 May 2008, in final form 17 June 2008
Published 15 July 2008