“On a Mode of Explaining the Transverse Vibrations of Light”

Details “On a Mode of Explaining the Transverse Vibrations of Light” “On a Mode of Explaining the Transverse Vibrations of Light”

Aug 1880

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1880natur..22..317f&link_type=abstract

Nature, Volume 22, Issue 562, pp. 317 (1880).

Other

Scientific paper

I VENTURE to call attention to what appears to me to be (possibly) an objection to the views advanced by Mr. S, Xolver Preston in his interesting article, ``On a Mode of Explaining the Transverse Vibrations of Light'' (NATURE, vol. xxi. p. 256). Mr. Preston's hypothesis I understand to be a special modification of Lesage's, the speciality being that the corpuscles which by their impact on the cage-atoms of ordinary matter cause gravitation, are also the carriers of some vector property, the changes in which constitute radiant energy, and that in fact there is no ether except just this assemblage of minute corpuscles co-existing in the ultra-gaseous state (i.e., with a mean free path of great length). Now, as far as I can see, it is a strict corollary from this exceedingly fascinating hypothesis that the velocity of propagation of gravity must be identical with that of light. In other words, the acceleration of a material particle at any instant (I) caused by the attraction of a second particle must be directed to the spot occupied by that second particle, not at the instant I, but at some instant prior to I, the interval between the two instants being the time taken by the ultramundane corpuscles, and therefore by light, to travel from the one particle to the other. But do not the observed planetary motions necessitate the assumption that gravity, even if propagated in time at all, is propagated with a velocity vastly in excess of that of light? At any rate this statement is frequently met with in discussions on the nature of gravity and is much prized by advocates of ``action at a distance.'' If it is true, does it not constitute a fatal objection to Mr. Preston's hypothesis?

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

“On a Mode of Explaining the Transverse Vibrations of Light” does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with “On a Mode of Explaining the Transverse Vibrations of Light”, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and “On a Mode of Explaining the Transverse Vibrations of Light” will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1168702