arXiv subjects

C. T. Ridgely

Publications and source records attributed to C. T. Ridgely.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2001

Can zero-point phenomena truly be the origin of inertia?

A current approach to the problem of inertia suggests that the origin of the inertial properties of matter is the interaction between matter and vacuum electromagnetic zero-point radiation. Herein, it is shown that zero-point phenomena can be treated as the origin of inertia only when one chooses to ignore the mass-energy content of matter. In the absence of any physical basis for such a choice, it is concluded that zero-point-induced forces must arise in addition to the intrinsic inertial properties of ordinary matter.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2001

A macroscopic approach to creating exotic matter

Herein the Casimir effect is used to present a simple macroscopic view on creating exotic matter. The energy arising between two nearly perfectly conducting parallel plates is shown to become increasingly negative as the plate separation is reduced. It is proposed that the Casimir energy appears increasingly negative simply because the vacuum electromagnetic zero-point field performs positive work in pushing the plates together, transforming field energy into kinetic energy of the plates. Next, the inertial properties of exotic matter are considered. The parallel plates of the Casimir system are replaced with an enclosed cavity of identical dimensions that is subjected to an external force. It is found that zero-point radiation exerts an inertial force on the cavity in opposition to the external force. This ultimately leads to the conclusion that the inertial properties of exotic matter are identical to the inertial properties of ordinary matter.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2001

On the relativistic origin of inertia and zero-point forces

Current approaches to the problem of inertia attempt to explain the inertial properties of matter by expressing the inertial mass appearing in Newton's second law of motion in terms of some other more fundamental interaction. One increasingly popular approach explains inertial and gravitational forces as drag forces arising due to quantum vacuum zero-point phenomena. General relativity, however, suggests that gravitational and inertial forces are manifestations of space-time geometry. Based on this, the present analysis demonstrates that inertia and zero-point forces are ultimately relativistic in origin. Additionally, it is argued that body forces induced on matter through zero-point interactions are resistive forces acting in addition to inertia.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2001

Gravitation and Forces Induced by Zero-Point Phenomena

A recent proposal asserts that gravitational forces arise due to an interaction between matter and vacuum electromagnetic zero-point radiation. The present analysis demonstrates that forces induced on matter by zero-point radiation arise in addition to gravitational forces. It is argued that zero-point radiation should be red-shifted near large gravitational sources while remaining essentially undetectable within freely falling reference frames. On this basis, an effective weight of an observer stationed near the surface of the Earth is derived for the case when zero-point radiation is present.

physics.gen-ph↗