| Popis: |
A brief outline of the history of the Ampere-Neumann electrodynamics of metals is provided. It was developed in France and in Germany during the 19th century. The old theory is based on instantaneous action-at-a-distance. The paper points out to what extent it agrees with presently taught relativistic electromagnetic field theory and then delineates an area where the old and new theories disagree. Four groups of experiments with metallic conductors are cited which, in the area of disagreement, favor the Ampere-Neumann electrodynamics. A fifth group of experiments is mentioned which reveals a new electrodynamic force in dense arc plasma which is orders of magnitude stronger than the Lorentz force. Precisely such a force has emerged from the modern extension of the old theory. This seems to broaden the empirical basis of the Ampere-Neumann electrodynamics to include dense plasma conductors. |
