Foundations of Electromagnetism: A Review of Wilhelm Weber’s Electrodynamic Force Law



Baumgärtel, Christof and Maher, Simon
(2022) Foundations of Electromagnetism: A Review of Wilhelm Weber’s Electrodynamic Force Law. Foundations, 2 (4). pp. 949-980.

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Abstract

<jats:p>This article reviews the electrodynamic force law of Wilhelm Weber and its importance in electromagnetic theory. An introduction is given to Weber’s force and it is shown how it has been utilised in the literature to explain electromagnetism as well as phenomena in other disciplines of physics, where the force law has connections to the nuclear force, gravity, cosmology, inertia and quantum mechanics. Further, criticism of Weber’s force is reviewed and common misconceptions addressed and rectified. It is found that, while the theory is not without criticism and has much room for improvement, within the limitations of its validity, it is equally as successful as Maxwell’s theory in predicting certain phenomena. Moreover, it is discussed how Weber offers a valid alternative explanation of electromagnetic phenomena which can enrich and complement the field perspective of electromagnetism through a particle based approach.</jats:p>

Item Type: Article
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 20 Oct 2022 08:50
Last Modified: 15 Mar 2024 00:57
DOI: 10.3390/foundations2040065
Open Access URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9321/2/4/65/htm
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3165673