Causality, Electromagnetic Induction, and Gravitation: A Different Approach to the Theory of Electromagnetic and Gravitational Fields, 2nd edition [Hardcover]

Oleg D. Jefimenko (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0917406222 | ISBN-13: 978-0917406225 | Edition: 2

This book is a strikingly new exploration of the fundamentals of Maxwell's electromagnetic theory and of Newton's theory of gravitation. Starting with an analysis of causality in the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, the author discovers a series of heretofore unknown or overlooked electromagnetic interdependencies and equations. One of the most notable new results is the discovery that Maxwell's equations do not depict cause and effect relations between electromagnetic phenomena: causal dependencies in electromagnetic phenomena are found to be described by solutions of Maxwell's equations in the form of retarded electric and magnetic field integrals. A consequence of this discovery is that, contrary to the generally accepted view, time-variable electric and magnetic fields cannot cause each other and that both fields are simultaneously created by their true causative sources -- time-dependent electric charges and currents. Another similarly important discovery is that Lenz's law of electromagnetic induction is a manifestation of the previously ignored electric force produced by the time-dependent electric currents. These discoveries lead to important new methods of calculations of various electromagnetic effects in time- depended electromagnetic systems. The new methods are demonstrated by a variety of illustrative examples. Continuing his analysis of causal electromagnetic relations, the author finds that these relations are closely associated with the law of momentum conservation, and that with the help of the law of momentum conservation one can analyze causal relations not only in electromagnetic but also in gravitational systems. This leads to the discovery that in the time-dependent gravitational systems the momentum cannot be conserved without a second gravitational force field, which the author calls the "cogravitational, or Heaviside's, field." This second field, first predicted by Heaviside, relates to the gravitational field proper just as the magnetic field relates to the electric field. The author then generalizes Newton's gravitational theory to time-dependent systems and derives causal gravitational equations in the form of two retarded integrals similar to the retarded integrals for the electric and magnetic fields introduced previously. One of the most important consequences of the causal gravitational equations is that a gravitational interaction between two bodies involves not one force (as in Newton's theory) but as many as five different forces corresponding to the five terms in the two retarded gravitational and cogravitational field integrals. These forces depend not only on the masses and separation of the interacting bodies, but also on their velocity and acceleration and even on the rate of change of their masses. A series of illustrative examples on the calculation of these new forces is provided and a graphical representation of these forces is given. The book concludes with a discussion of the possibility of antigravitation as a consequence of the negative equivalent mass of the gravitational field energy. The book is written in the style and format of a textbook. The clear presentation, the detailed derivations of all the basic formulas and equations, and the many illustrative examples make this book well suitable not only for independent studies but also as a supplementary textbook in courses on electromagnetic theory and gravitation. The second edition of the book refines and improves the first edition, especially in the presentation and development of Newton's gravitational theory generalized to time-dependent gravitational systems. The book has been augmented by several new Appendixes. Particularly notable are Appendixes 5, 6, and 8. Appendixes 5 and 6 present novel "dynamic" electric and gravitational field maps of rapidly moving charges and masses. Appendix 8 contains the little-known but extremely important Heaviside's 1893 article on the generalization of Newton's gravitational theory.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author is Professor of Physics at West Virginia University, USA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Electret Scientific Co; 2 edition (March 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0917406222
• ISBN-13: 978-0917406225
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,231,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant new perspective on E&M and Gravity, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Causality, Electromagnetic Induction, and Gravitation: A Different Approach to the Theory of Electromagnetic and Gravitational Fields, 2nd edition (Hardcover)

Starting with the principle of causality (that is, that causes must precede effects in time) Jefimenko argues that Maxwell's equations as usually presented do not give us a causal understanding of EM phenomena. He then goes on to derive equivalent equations for the electric and magnetic fields that are causal (namely the retarded fields). Using these, he presents a variety of examples to argue that E&M still holds many curious and fascinating surprises. Finally, he applies the same methodology to Newtonian gravity, and argues convincingly that the standard rejection of this theory in favor of GR was too hasty, since a causal formulation of Newton's theory can reproduce many of the qualitative features of general relativity. An absolute must read for anyone interested in the foundations of physics, or anyone skeptical of the irrationality in modern physics.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece!, May 31, 2007

By 

William C. Miller "KT4YE" (Charlotte, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Causality, Electromagnetic Induction, and Gravitation: A Different Approach to the Theory of Electromagnetic and Gravitational Fields, 2nd edition (Paperback)

Have you ever wondered why Lenz's Law seems to make no sense at all? Have you wondered why, after 140 years, no one has ever successfully measured the magnetic field inside a capacitor that is "caused" by Maxwell's Displacement Current? Would you like to understand how gravitational fields seem to operate like electromagnetic fields?

If so, this book is for you. (If you do not know what these questions mean, then pass on this book.)

Dr. Jefimenko starts with a simple, logical definition of causality. He explains what conditions must be present in order for Event A to cause Result B. He then shows that, in the case of Maxwell's Equations, E does not cause H, and H does not cause E. Then he teaches us what does!

This book is heavy with differential equations, and very light on pictures and diagrams. It is definitely upper division or post graduate level. The only negative issue is that it is sometimes difficult to discern where Jefimenko's analysis diverges from established theory/dogma. Careful reading will solve this.

37 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Controversial but stimulating, July 20, 2002

By 

Mr. Leslie O. Green (Oxford (UK)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Causality, Electromagnetic Induction, and Gravitation: A Different Approach to the Theory of Electromagnetic and Gravitational Fields, 2nd edition (Paperback)

Despite the fact that this book is written by a professor of physics at West Virginia University, the contents should not be taken as representing `fact' as agreed by the scientific community. The reader should understand that there are many modern re-interpretations of standard physics which are not valid. Having said that, this book gives a learned and scholarly description of a new set of possibilities. One difficulty is that the more controversial ideas are not differentiated from the `standard' ideas. Thus it is hard to know when you are being led into `disputed territory'.

The book is quite expensive for a 202 page paperback. Having said that the paper is of good quality and is stitched together in the style of a hardback. Durability of the book is therefore not an issue.

This book is certainly aimed at a graduate level, or above, with probably more than half of the `reasoning' based on vector calculus expressions of retarded variables. There is no experimental evidence given of any of the new ideas, especially where the new ideas conflict with existing ideas of black holes and general relativity.

I would not like to say that this book presents a `correct' idea of the subject; it does however present a stimulating argument, and deserves credit for this achievement in its own right.

The last part of this book is a paper on gravitation written by Oliver Heaviside in 1893. The last sentence is "Perhaps, therefore, my suggestions may not be wholly useless." This sentence sums up my feelings about the book as a whole.

Leslie Green CEng MIEE