Thomas E. Phipps

Observation of ampere forces in mercury

Abstract An experiment proposed by Wesley involving passing current through a mercury cell of varying cross section has been performed and appears to confirm the existence of Ampere tension (Ampere longitudinal forces).

Proper time synchronization

A clock-transport method of synchronization employing proper time is described that yields in any given inertial system the same result as slow transport, but that imposes no limit on transport proper speed. It is argued that because the method involves only the empirically validated kinematic invariant proper time, on which all observers must agree, there exists an option to synchronize clocks in such a way that thesimultaneity of spatially separated events is agreed upon by all observers, hence is “absolute.” Such agreement refers only to phase equality of members (present at the events judged simultaneous) of comoving clock sets, not to clock rates or clock phase numerical values in different inertial systems. The demonstration employs only the on-worldline assertions of Einsteins kinematics. It thus depends on a limited subset of his ideas and allows a different identification of the spacelike invariant.A clock-transport method of synchronization employing proper time is described that yields in any given inertial system the same result as slow transport, but that imposes no limit on transport proper speed. It is argued that because the method involves only the empirically validated kinematic invariant proper time, on which all observers must agree, there exists an option to synchronize clocks in such a way that thesimultaneity of spatially separated events is agreed upon by all observers, hence is “absolute.” Such agreement refers only to phase equality of members (present at the events judged simultaneous) of comoving clock sets, not to clock rates or clock phase numerical values in different inertial systems. The demonstration employs only the on-worldline assertions of Einsteins kinematics. It thus depends on a limited subset of his ideas and allows a different identification of the spacelike invariant.

On the “Completeness” of Quantum Mechanics

No study of the wave—particle dualism would be complete without examination of both the necessity and sufficiency of the mathematical-descriptive formalism that gives rise to it. Concerning sufficiency of the existing formalism, the issue of “completeness” of quantum mechanics as a physical theory was raised most poignantly by Einstein.(1) This matter is usually treated in connection with the Einstein—Podolsky—Rosen (EPR) paradox,(2,3) in the context of proposed “hidden variable” modifications or enhancements. The customary exposition then proceeds to Bell’s theorem(4) and its modern developments, both theoretical and experimental(5)—the impression being created that there is a sort of championship-of-the-world fight in progress between clearly identified opponents: in one corner the recognized title-holder, “quantum mechanics,” in the other a sequence of all possible (in general more generously parametrized) challengers to quantum mechanics.

Comment on Marinov's light velocity experiment

Abstract Marinovs proposed experiment on light velocity and its dependence on source velocity is discussed in terms of the background synchrotron radiation. The angular distribution of this radiation is shown to support the Einstein second postulate.