(May 8, 2009 at 12:56 pm)g-mark Wrote: Have you seen the theory of 'scalar energy'?
I undersatnd it is highly controversial.
Assuming you're referring to the "theory" that electromagnetic waves have a longitudinal component (which is called by it's proponent the scalar field theory), yes I have.
It's controversial in the same sense that homeopathy is controversial i.e. there is no evidence.
It defines things that already have a meaning in physics, creating a lot of confusion.
e.g. scalar potential. In physics this is a scalar field whose (negative) derivative is eqaul to a given vector field.
Scalar field theory defines a scalar potential as the vacuum virtual particle flux (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong)
It seems to me like obfuscation is one of the aims of doing this.
The theory suggest that the longitudinal component of EM waves have "scalar energy" in much the same way as the electric and magnetic transverse components have energy.
But a simple thought experiment shows this cannot be true:
Imagine a system of two electromagnets set up in such a way that an alternating current causes the field to vary sinusoidally. Then the magnets will alternately attract and repel.
This would cause (if there were a transverse component) what proponents call scalar bubbles and voids, which travel through space longitudinally, and which would be ripples on a constant energy background
These bubbles and voids (supposedly) cause magnets to attract and repel.
So place a set of permanent magnets close by and attach them to each other by a spring.
The ripples would cause the two magnets to oscillate.
but, this is NOT observed
Galileo was a man of science oppressed by the irrational and superstitious. Today, he is used by the irrational and superstitious who claim they are being oppressed by science - Mark Crislip
