English

The c equivalence principle and the correct form of writing Maxwell's equations

Classical Physics 2010-12-07 v1

Abstract

It is well-known that the speed cu=1/ϵ0μ0c_u=1/\sqrt{\epsilon_0\mu_0} is obtained in the process of defining SI units via action-at-a-distance forces, like the force between two static charges and the force between two long and parallel currents. The speed cuc_u is then physically different from the observed speed of propagation cc associated with electromagnetic waves in vacuum. However, repeated experiments have led to the numerical equality cu=c,c_u=c, which we have called the cc equivalence principle. In this paper we point out that ×E=[1/(ϵ0μ0c2)]B/t\nabla\times{\bf E}=-[1/(\epsilon_0\mu_0 c^2)]\partial{\bf B}/\partial t is the correct form of writing Faraday's law when the cc equivalence principle is not assumed. We also discuss the covariant form of Maxwell's equations without assuming the cc equivalence principle.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1012.1067,
  title  = {The c equivalence principle and the correct form of writing Maxwell's equations},
  author = {Jose A. Heras},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1012.1067},
  year   = {2010}
}