Classical physics as geometry
Abstract
If classical physics be regarded as comprising gravitation, source free electromagnetism, unquantized charge, and unquantized mass of concentrations of electromagnetic field energy (geons), then classical physics can be described in terms of curved empty space, and nothing more. No changes are made in existing theory. The electromagnetic field is given by the Maxwell square root of the contracted curvature tensor of Ricci and Einstein. Maxwell's equations then reduce, as shown thirty years ago by Rainich, to a simple statement connecting the Ricci curvature and its rate of change. In contrast to unified field theories, one then secures from the standard theory of Maxwell and Einstein an already unified field theory. This purely geometrical description of electromagnetism is traced out in detail. Charge receives a natural interpretation in terms of source-free electromagnetic fields that (1) are everywhere subject to Maxwell's equations for free space but (2) are trapped in the worm holes of a space with a multiply-connected topology. Electromagnetism in such a space receives a detailed description in terms of the existing beautiful and highly developed mathematics of topology and harmonic vector fields. Elementary particles and real masses are completely excluded from discussion as belonging to the world of quantum physics.
- Publication:
-
Annals of Physics
- Pub Date:
- December 1957
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0003-4916(57)90049-0
- Bibcode:
- 1957AnPhy...2..525M