History of the theories of electromagnetism

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the historical development of electromagnetism theories leading up to Einstein, particularly focusing on emission theories. The user inquires about theories that propose wave emission without involving particle emission or a medium, contrasting with ballistic emission theories like those of Ritz and Newton. There is uncertainty about whether Maxwell's equations fit this description, as they primarily describe electromagnetic waves rather than emission mechanisms. The conversation reflects a desire for clarity on the classification of emission theories in the context of wave propagation. Overall, the thread highlights the complexities and historical debates surrounding the evolution of electromagnetic theory.
MacOfficial
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I have lately been reading, with interest, the history leading up to Einstein's work as well as some of the debate that ensued after his theories were published. In particular, I was reading some of the ideas Ritz proposed and the disproof of his theories by de Sitter. A question occurred to me, though, while I was reading and I am hoping someone here might know the answer to it. Were there any emission theories ever proposed that did not involve a "ballistic" emission? In other words, were there (or are there) any emission theories (unlike Ritz or even Newton) that suggested the emission was purely a wave and had nothing to do with particle of some sort being emitted and also did not involve some sort of medium, like the so-called aether?
 
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MacOfficial said:
were there (or are there) any emission theories (unlike Ritz or even Newton) that suggested the emission was purely a wave and had nothing to do with particle of some sort being emitted
Isn’t that Maxwell’s equations? If not, I am not sure what you mean by an emission theory emitting waves.
 
Dale said:
Isn’t that Maxwell’s equations? If not, I am not sure what you mean by an emission theory emitting waves.

Well, I guess I am not sure. Maybe it is Maxwell's equations. I am not entirely sure I know how to phrase the question. What I am curious about is an emission theory that cannot be classified as a ballistic emission theory - like Ritz's or Newton's. Was, to your knowledge, such a theory ever proposed that did not involve some sort of particle being emitted from the light source?

I apologize in advance for not being able to be more clear. Maybe what is puzzling me doesn't really make any sense. (Sort of like asking to have a "married bachelor" explained, you know?)
 
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