[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Crediting the field with missing momentum

Electromagnetism & gauge · 

## Why it looked like it would break the theory

When the mechanical momenta of two charged objects do not appear to balance, assigning the missing momentum to the electromagnetic field can look like moving the same quantity into a different system merely to preserve conservation.

## Why it failed

**The counterexample failed** because DSRP permits the same identity to belong to different wholes under different system boundaries and perspectives. There is only one momentum quantity. From one boundary it is a part of the electromagnetic field; from another it is a part of the larger matter–field interaction system. Changing the whole and the Perspective point reorganizes the same identity without duplicating it or requiring new structure.

Settled by [R8](https://dsrpevidence.org/resolution/8). Not yet published.

[Read it](https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3641979)

[All cases](https://dsrpevidence.org/counterexamples)