Two quite different experiments are discussed that have independently verified the existence of longitudinal electrodynamic forces (denied by the “accepted” Lorentz force law) associated with currents flowing in closed circuits. Both employ versions of a simple “inertial modulation” method whereby current flowing within circuit portions of low effective mass exerts reduced observable force actions of those low-mass portions upon a separate test portion of greater mass—as a result of recoil energy taken up by the low-mass portions. By suitable design such variations of forceapplication effectiveness around a circuit can be exploited to spoil the exactness of differentials of force action between current elements, allowing violations of those classical theorems that assert indistinguishability of the Lorentz law from alternatives proposed by Ampère and others. In effect the classical theorems apply strictly only to immobilized (nonrecoiling) circuits, e.g., to those of infinite mass in all their parts. This force modulation approach offers a powerful and practical observational method of “violating” theorems of

A generally accepted form of the relativity principle is shown to be violated by the empirically confirmed behavior of clocks. (C) 2016 Physics Essays Publication.

Since the nineteenth century physical theorists have considered that electromagnetic mass must exhibit tensor properties if causal delays characterize the interactions of electric charges. In 1960 Chalmers W. Sherwin and Robert D. Rawcliffe enlisted the help of mentors of the A. O. Nier highresolution mass spectrograph to test this hypothesis, using the predicted mass line-splitting of a football-shaped Lu 175 nucleus of spin 7/2 (a highly asymmetrical charge distribution). No line-splitting was observed. This null result showed that mass behaves in just the way Newton thought, as a scalar, never as a tensor. What, then went wrong with the theory? We argue that the basic assumption of retardation of distant action was at fault, and that the null result in fact provides strong inferential evidence of instant action-at-adistance of a Coulomb field.

The Marinov motor (MM) is a device whose operation has been verified by several independent investigators. This fact is an embarrassment to physicists, since their accepted Lorentz force law is unable to account for it. Full understanding of the MM seems to require (1) a more robust interpretation of the relativity principle, (2) recognition that first-order physics has never been right (in view of the Galilean noninvariance of Maxwell's equations), (3) acceptance of force action by vector potential A, and (4) willingness to abandon covariance in favor of invariance. (C) 2014 Physics Essays Publication.

If the formal correspondence by which quantum equations of motion are derived is rigorized by retaining analogs of the "new canonical variables" or constants of the motion, the resulting "completion" of quantum mechanics automatically provides a means of severing phase connections (resulting in "collapse") of the wave function. Hence, there is no longer any need or possibility for a phase-connected "multiverse." Further, the global positioning system method of correcting individual clock rates, so that all run in step, allows formal retention of a single invariant time parameter, as in the classical equations of motion. Hence an unambiguous "now" is restored, thus sharpening the quantum event concept. (C) 2014 Physics Essays Publication.

The confirmed effects on timekeeping predicted by relativity theory resulting from state changes of relative motion and gravity can with proper interpretation be exploited to enable accurate measurement of altitude, if ground speed is known. For space navigation, the method allows identification of the gravity equipotential on which the spacecraft is located. The only special instrumentation needed aboard the aircraft or spacecraft is a highly accurate clock. (C) 2014 Physics Essays Publication.

Major revisions of the pillars of physics, Maxwell's equations and relativity theory, are proposed, based on imposing the requirement of true formal invariance. This theme is further exploited through length invariance and an application of global positioning system time that permits restoration of a meaningful concept of now. The consequence is a physics from which covariance has been consistently banished in favor of invariance. A crucial experiment is proposed. (C) 2014 Physics Essays Publication.

A test of the Schwarzschild metric, as well as of the metric concept of “spacetime,” which has never been verified directly, is easily conceptualized, although less easily effectuated. The test proposed here envisions accurate timing measurements of order c - 4 , carried out in Earth satellites similar to those of the Global Positioning System.

By simple calculations, it is shown that the Lorentz transformation (LT) expresses an intrinsic ambiguity serious enough to disqualify as physics any relativistic kinematics built upon it. The ambiguity results from a failure to specify how "relative motion" is apportioned between its participants. Other LT-related antinomies are noted. (C) 2013 Physics Essays Publication. [http://dx.doi.org/10.4006/0836-1398-26.1.68]

It is generally thought that, when direct current flows in a stationary wire, no external electric field is produced. However, we show that if the Lorentz contraction of the assemblage of moving electrons is taken into account, special relativity theory predicts a nonzero electric field. Other theory also predicts nonzero electric fields through other mechanisms, and experimental works report confirmation of these mechanisms. (C) 2011 Physics Essays Publication. [DOI: 10.4006/1.3593402]

There are numerous theories of stellar aberration. All agree on the Bradley aberration, which describes the phenomenon to first order in beta=v/c, where v=v(orb) is the Earth's orbital speed. Here, three exemplary theories are considered and shown to differ at second order (beta(2)). The very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) system claims accuracy adequate to measure small angles of this size and thus to provide an empirical resolution. In particular, Einstein's formula of 1905 might be confirmed to order beta(2)-something that has never been achieved, or apparently even attempted. (C) 2010 Physics Essays Publication. [DOI: 10.4006/1.3311821]

An alternative approach to relativistic physics is reviewed, based on an invariant formulation of electromagnetic field theory due to Hertz. Both electromagnetism and mechanics are shown to be subject to reformulation whereby true invariance replaces "universal covariance." The invariant feature of Einstein's theory, i.e., proper time, is retained, but is supplemented for convenience in describing many-body motions by a generalized form of frame time termed "collective time" (CT), patterned on Global Positioning System time. CT resembles Newton's absolute time in regard to environmental independence, but is shown to satisfy a form of the relativity principle. A crucial experiment is described involving accurate measurement of stellar aberration at second order by means of the Very Long-Based Interferometry system. This would decide definitively between the Hertz and Maxwell Einstein formulations of electromagnetism. Another experiment that I proposed earlier [Phys. Essays 21, 16 (2008)] involving in-orbit light speed measurement, is disavowed, since I now recognize it as not crucial. This paper sums up a half-century of my dissident thinking in physics and forms a concluding testament. (C) 2009 Physics Essays Publication. [DOT: 10.4006/1.3092778]

Since the nineteenth century physical theorists have considered that electromagnetic mass must exhibit tensor properties if causal delays characterize the interactions of electric charges. In 1960 Chalmers W. Sherwin and Robert D. Rawcliffe enlisted the help of mentors of the A. O. Nier high- resolution mass spectrograph to test this hypothesis, using the predicted mass line-splitting of a football-shaped Lu 175 nucleus of spin 7/2 (a highly asymmetrical charge distribution). No line-splitting was observed. This null result showed that mass behaves in just the way Newton thought, as a scalar, never as a tensor. What, then went wrong with the theory? We argue that the basic assumption of retardation of distant action was at fault, and that the null result in fact provides strong inferential evidence of instant action-at-a- distance of a Coulomb field.

A gedanken experiment is described that exposes an apparent conflict between the treatment of proper timekeeping on geodesics according to general relativity theory, as customarily understood, and empirical evidence such as that of the Global Positioning System. The paradox is resolved by noting that there may be many geodesics between two spacetime events, only one of which represents a global maximum of proper time. The cardinality of such nonuniqueness (which may be that of the continuum) at first seems to violate the property that a geodesic between two events always incurs a (local) extremum of proper time. However, to first order (hence to observationally significant order), all free-fall orbits that have the same period have the same proper time, so no first variations of the orbits within our solution set change the proper time-a consistency check on the geodesic (extremum) interpretation of such orbits. (c) 2008 Physics Essays Publication.

Two papers by Arunasalam in this issue are considered. These treat his views on the twin paradox and on the subject of covariance versus invariance. He proposes to resolve the twin paradox in terms of asymmetrical acceleration. An alternative not involving acceleration is provided in Taylor and Wheeler, Spacetime Physics (Freeman, San Francisco, CA, 1966) p. 94. I agree that an alternative resolution is desirable, but feel that those offered by special relativity theory leave much to be desired. Instead, it may prove necessary to acknowledge clock running-rate asymmetries as physically real. More significant is Arunasalam's championing of covariance. He provides definitions of Lorentz covariance and Lorentz invariance that are helpful in clarifying discussion, but gives no definition of the general concept of "invariance" as I should like to see it understood. I offer my own definitions and on that basis sketch a variety of physics [developed in Old Physics for New (Apeiron, Montreal, 2006)] that employs an invariant covering theory of Maxwell's equations due to Hertz, as well as a "collective time" patterned upon the clock running-rate correction methods of the global positioning system. In this alternative physics, invariance plays the same central role that covariance plays in Einstein's physics. (c) 2008 Physics Essays Publication.

Abstract: this paper we shall first apply the basic theoretical torque formula obtained by Wesley,without repeating his derivation of that result. The purpose will be to suggest some of the range ofvariations possible in the basic design of the resulting new class of motors. Then some experiments Idid to test the torque formula will be described. No attempt will be made here to analyze specificembodiments of the Marinov motor---but any reader with engineering leanings will be able to fill-inthat ...

It is shown that a d’Alembertian solution previously obtained for the neoHertzian wave equation under the restriction that detector (absorber) velocity is constant holds likewise with minor modification in the more general case in which that velocity is an arbitrary function of time. Remarks are made also on the two-way averaging of light speed in neo-Hertzian electromagnetism.