Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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

This book redefines electromagnetic induction with rigorous attention to the vector mathematics of Maxwell's equations. Prof. Jefimenko also redefines Newton's gravitational law to satisfy conservation of momentum. This results in striking similarities between the two sets of equations. Prof. Jefimenko's ability to manipulate and reformulate vector calculus is simply awesome.

This book is needed to read the other books by Jefiminko and presents the background for the ideas presented in them. I was able to follow the mathematics easily enough and the ideas presented while not mainstream were proved in detail. More people should ate the time to read this and compare the results of current relativity physics. As with quantum mechanics there are two paths to the same answers each equally valid and correct. Alternate theories often are psuedo scientific and not proven but the results of Jefiminko are proved and give the same results as other methods. Worth reading to keep the mind working and looking at things in new ways. Reading the whole series is interesting and worthwhile.