 Figure 1 The differential equations describing the electromagnetic field correlate cause to local properties; and these manifest their effects through field-force relationships. This double relationship is the basis of Lorentz’s electrodynamic theory of bodies in movement. It is an unquestionable fact that Maxwell’s equations work out well as far as the field-charge limit, that is, exactly as far as the cause-field and field-effect transitions. Within these limits, however, their solutions contain an uncomfortable singularity. That is why it is said that Maxwell’s theory, as well as Lorentz’s version, are not above any criticism. In fact, it is not new for the physicist that something very strange is behind these famous equations. Something very strange and unpleasant since it is even disappointing, after so many studies, to find that Maxwell’s theory — this fabulous construction, so successful in the explanation of several phenomena — does not ultimately work out [2]. This was fact did not go unnoticed to Maxwell, who refused to accept the autonomous character of the field, rather trying to create mechanical models for the ether. Nevertheless, of offensive itself began with Einstein and Bohr, supported by experimental evidences: the former when he characterized the ambivalent aspect of the so-called electromagnetic waves; and the latter when he verified the incompatibilities between forecasts of Maxwell’s theory and the atom theory which had just been proposed. Oseen seems to have been the first to call attention to the need of a deep change in the electromagnetic theory [3]. Infeld, Dirac, Wheeler, Feynman, Bopp and others [2], each one of them in their own way — tried, through modifications in the equations, to adapt classic elctromagnetism to developments in modern Physics. Einstein adopted an unusual position: after justifying the unification of the electric and magnetic field through relativistic evidence, he uselessly tried to expand this unification to the gravitational field; he thus hoped to eliminate any inconsistencies. His view of the problem was a very inclusive one, as we can notice in the following comments: These attempts, however, have not been successful. The point in establishing an electromagnetic field theory of matter has not been achieved so far, although no objection may be raised against the possibly of such point being achieved. What delayed any later attempt to achieve it was the lack of any systematic method that could offer any solution... {Einstein [4]} Then Einstein gets to the following conclusion, which is worth mentioning due to its high physical-mathematical content: But what seems authoritative to me is that in any field theory there cannot be any concept referring to particles besides the field concept. [4] In short, the critical points are situated in one or more interrelations as shown in Figure 1, although — due to obvious difficulties — little attention was paid to the causal factor. Lots of theories there appeared in this century trying to explain the genesis of a field of force [5], but as we are worried about detecting the incorrect points in the classic theory, we will leave them aside since they were created to correct the above-mentioned fallacy. We shall then examine the classic theories, particularly the emission theories, which are the most fascinating ones. Let us see how Davies [5] describes the way physics in Faraday’s (1791-1862) time used to think: The best way to understand the effects of electric and magnetic forces was referring to a field concept, a sort of halo with an invisible influence emanating from matter and spreading through space, capable of acting upon electrically loaded particles, electric currents or magnets. The intuitive idea of a field as something traveling in space from a causal agent -- or issuing source -- is prior to the very concept of field and appears in many writings by 17th century physicists. It satisfies some of the needs of establishing a gravitational field and serves as a logical model for deducing the differential equations of the stationary electric field. However some difficulties which are inherent to such idea -- and unsolved to this day -- made physicians skeptical or even refractory to its acceptance. They employ it as a useful abstraction for certain purposes and then reject it. Nonetheless, quantic electrodynamics -- regarded by many as the best quantitative physical theory -- ultimately is a quantic version of an emission theory. The idea of a field as a polorized space was proposed by Faraday, although originally -- and according to the tendencies of mid-19th century -- such polarization was the consequence of a mechanical action indirectly spreading by means of field lines through a hypothetical environment named ether [6]. The concept of ether disappeared altogether in 1905 after Einstein’s words [7] but the field lines did survive as purely geometric entities: sometimes due to their high didactic value, sometimes because they were useful for field mapping. These lines are tangent to the local vectorial field, simulating trajectories of hypothetical entities. In some cases, as in electric currents in condutors, the electric field lines coincide with the trajectory of moving charges. But its physical meaning is not clear: it is merely the image of a function totally described by the field equations. As Feynman pointed out any emission theory intending to use field lines as the trajectory of imaginary entities responsible for the field will certainly meet with failure. Therefore, as the field lines are mathematical devices and ether proved unnecessary or even inconvenient we have preserved only the essence of Faraday’s theory: the idea of interpreting fields as polorized spaces. If nothing else there existed in Faraday’s theory, this idea alone would justify his place among the greatest 19th century physicians. In the following items I will present a new theory which combines the ideas described in the last two paragraphs with the acceptance of an electron (proton) well located and endowed with a very well defined structure. A new concept of electricity-magnetism unification emerges supported by the conception of a common cause (the electromagnetic information), setting aside relativistic considerations, even if the classic relativity plays an important role in the development of the theory.
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