ON THE EFFECTIVE-MASS OF AN ELECTRON SURROUNDED BY A CHARGED SHELL

A difference is predicted between the effective mass of an electron su rrounded by a charged shell and that of a free electron. This differen ce is caused by two factors: the radiation action of the shell on the electron being accelerated and the additional mass concerned with the energy of the electric interaction between the electron and the shell. It is shown that the effective mass of such an electron, generally sp eaking, is a tensor. Charging the shell up to a certain potential (abo ut 1 MV) one can make the electron's effective mass negative along one or two axes. The obtained result is compared with the conception that the inertial force is a real force, produced by the gravitational rad iation of the Universe affecting a body in accelerated motion with res pect to the centre of mass of the Universe.