The Poynting vector should be E×B/μ0 not E×H

Editor's Note: This Note revisits Poynting's analysis of electromagnetic work, energy density, and energy flux in matter. While Poynting focused on the interaction between fields and free charges, the author argues that making the role of bound charges explicit sheds light on the Abraham–Minkowski controversy over the proper definition of electromagnetic momentum.

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Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Physics
Published
2026-02-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0297408
Primary Topic
Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

The Poynting vector should be E×B/μ0 not E×H

Kirk T. McDonald
American Journal of Physics
Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
article

The Poynting vector should be E×B/μ0 not E×H

Kirk T. McDonald
article en

Abstract

Editor's Note: This Note revisits Poynting's analysis of electromagnetic work, energy density, and energy flux in matter. While Poynting focused on the interaction between fields and free charges, the author argues that making the role of bound charges explicit sheds light on the Abraham–Minkowski controversy over the proper definition of electromagnetic momentum.

American Journal of PhysicsVol. 94(3)
Princeton University (US)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 49%
Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
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The Poynting vector should be E×B/μ0 not E×H — Kirk T. McDonald · American Journal of Physics (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS