On the energy and momentum of an accelerated charged particle and the sources of radiation

We give a systematic development of the theory of the radiation field of an accelerated charged particle with reference to an inertial reference frame in flat spacetime. Special emphasis is given to the role of the Schott energy and momentum in the energy–momentum balance of the charge and its field. It is shown that the energy of the radiation field does not, in general, come from the work performed upon the charge by an external force. The radiation energy also receives a contribution from a conversion of the velocity dependent nearfield to the acceleration dependent radiation field. We also exhibit the role of momentum conservation in connection with a radiating electric charge and its electromagnetic field.