Liénard-Wiechert Potentials

The Liénard-Wiechert potentials describe the electromagnetic fields produced by moving charges. They account for how an electric charge creates electric and magnetic fields based on its position and velocity. Unlike static charges, moving charges can produce changes in fields that propagate at the speed of light. These potentials are essential in understanding how radiation is emitted by accelerating charges, such as electrons in an antenna. Utilizing Liénard-Wiechert potentials allows physicists to calculate the effects of moving charges on other charges and fields in a precise manner, important in both classical and modern physics.