Electrodynamics and the Mass-Energy Equivalence Principle

In this paper we investigate the link between classical electrodynamics and the mass-energy equivalence principle, in view of the conclusions reached in E. Bakhoum, Phys. Essays 15, 87 (2002). A formula for the radius of a charged particle is derived. The formula predicts the radius of the proton correctly. The radius of the electron turns out to be a surprising quantity that solves the existing problems of electrodynamics, particularly the problem of the infinite self-force of the electron. In addition, the classical radius of the electron (2.82 fm) will prove to be not a "radius" but rather the mean distance through which the retarded potentials of the self-force act. An important conclusion is that there is no deficiency in the classical Abraham-Lorentz model of the self-force, but rather the problem lies with our intuitive understanding of what an elementary particle is. Other important conclusions are also discussed, including a physically sound explanation for why electric charges must be quantized (as opposed to Dirac's monopole theory).