Why Maxwell's equations cannot be assumed in empty space

Oh No

It is sometimes supposed that the cosmological principle determines that
Maxwell's equations hold in empty space, and hence that cosmological
redshift must be calculated using the affine connection. This argument
does not apply in empty space. In the classical correspondence the state
is continuously measurable (to the resolution of the measurement
apparatus). In order to discuss Maxwell's equations we should be able
to talk of a test charge and a physically realisable coordinate system.
At the very least there must be a means of detection for a classical
e.m. wave. However none of these things exist in empty space.
Introducing them will make as fundamental a change to the situation as
the detection of an electron passing through Young's slits which causes
the interference fringes to vanish.

Regards

--
Charles Francis
substitute charles for NotI to email

FrediFizzx

"Oh No" <NotI@charlesfrancis.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:XvA5mGCkeiGFFw+f@charlesfrancis.wanadoo.co.uk...
> It is sometimes supposed that the cosmological principle determines
that
> Maxwell's equations hold in empty space, and hence that cosmological
> redshift must be calculated using the affine connection. This argument
> does not apply in empty space. In the classical correspondence the
state
> is continuously measurable (to the resolution of the measurement
> apparatus). In order to discuss Maxwell's equations we should be able
> to talk of a test charge and a physically realisable coordinate
system.
> At the very least there must be a means of detection for a classical
> e.m. wave. However none of these things exist in empty space.
> Introducing them will make as fundamental a change to the situation as
> the detection of an electron passing through Young's slits which
causes
> the interference fringes to vanish.

Interesting point. Also, taking this into quantum land, I always wonder
if it is legitimate to quantize the source free Maxwell equations? If
so, then that means that hbar has to be a "vacuum" or empty space
"process" in addition to c. Which I guess would mean that there really
isn't any such thing as empty space?

FrediFizzx

Quantum Vacuum Charge papers;
http://www.vacuum-physics.com/QVC/qu...uum_charge.pdf
or postscript
http://www.vacuum-physics.com/QVC/qu...cuum_charge.ps
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/physics/0601110
http://www.vacuum-physics.com