Why is the B field affected by distant stars in a rotating shell?

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The discussion centers on the relationship between a uniformly charged rotating spherical shell and the influence of distant stars on its magnetic field. According to Mach's principle, if distant stars rotate at the same angular velocity as the shell, no magnetic field exists inside the shell. The participants question why the motion of distant stars affects the magnetic field, emphasizing that it is not the stars' movement itself but the relative reference frame that determines the field's presence. The conversation also touches on the nature of acceleration, debating whether it can be considered absolute. Ultimately, the complexities of these concepts highlight the intricate interplay between motion, reference frames, and electromagnetic fields.
cragar
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Lets say I have a uniformly charged spherical shell. that is roating with an angular
velocity w. Now machs principle says that accleration is relative to the distant stars.
If the distant stars are rotatingng with the same w as the spherical shell, there will be no B field inside the shell. This seems strange. Why should the distant stars have anything to do with the B field of the rotating shell? And let's say the stars started moving relative to the shell why would this all of a sudden create a B field to appear in the frame.
 
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It's not about the 'stars themselves moving', it's about being in the reference frame of equal rotation. In that reference frame, it appears as if there is no magnetic field in the shell as your said. But its not the movement of the stars than cause that, it's the fact that they are in a reference frame where this appears to be the case.
 
why can't accleration just be absolute
 
cragar said:
why can't accleration just be absolute

Good question, and it's a tricky one I don't trust myself to address.
 

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