dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaContribution to inertial mass by reaction of the vacuum to accelerated motion
| Authors | Alfonso Rueda, Bernhard Haisch |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/9802030 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/9802030 |
| DOI | 10.1023/A:1018893903079 |
| Journal | Found.Phys.28:1057-1108,1998 |
Abstract
We present an approach to the origin of inertia involving the electromagnetic component of the quantum vacuum and propose this as an alternative to Mach's principle. Preliminary analysis of the momentum flux of the classical zero-point radiation impinging on accelerated objects as viewed by an inertial observer suggests that the resistance to acceleration attributed to inertia may be at least in part a force of opposition originating in the vacuum. This analysis avoids the ad hoc modeling of particle-field interaction dynamics used previously to derive a similar result. This present approach is not dependent upon what happens at the particle point, but on how an external observer assesses the kinematical characteristics of the zero-point radiation impinging on the accelerated object. A relativistic form of the equation of motion results from the present analysis. Its covariant form yields a simple result that may be interpreted as a contribution to inertial mass. Our approach is related by the principle of equivalence to Sakharov's conjecture of a connection between Einstein action and the vacuum. The argument presented may thus be construed as a descendant of Sakharov's conjecture by which we attempt to attribute a mass-giving property to the electromagnetic component -- and possibly other components-- of the vacuum. In this view the physical momentum of an object is related to the radiative momentum flux of the vacuum instantaneously contained in the characteristic proper volume of the object. The interaction process between the accelerated object and the vacuum (akin to absorption or scattering of electromagnetic radiation) appears to generate a physical resistance (reaction force) to acceleration suggestive of what has been historically known as inertia.
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"abstract": "We present an approach to the origin of inertia involving the electromagnetic\ncomponent of the quantum vacuum and propose this as an alternative to Mach\u0027s\nprinciple. Preliminary analysis of the momentum flux of the classical\nzero-point radiation impinging on accelerated objects as viewed by an inertial\nobserver suggests that the resistance to acceleration attributed to inertia may\nbe at least in part a force of opposition originating in the vacuum. This\nanalysis avoids the ad hoc modeling of particle-field interaction dynamics used\npreviously to derive a similar result. This present approach is not dependent\nupon what happens at the particle point, but on how an external observer\nassesses the kinematical characteristics of the zero-point radiation impinging\non the accelerated object. A relativistic form of the equation of motion\nresults from the present analysis. Its covariant form yields a simple result\nthat may be interpreted as a contribution to inertial mass. Our approach is\nrelated by the principle of equivalence to Sakharov\u0027s conjecture of a\nconnection between Einstein action and the vacuum. The argument presented may\nthus be construed as a descendant of Sakharov\u0027s conjecture by which we attempt\nto attribute a mass-giving property to the electromagnetic component -- and\npossibly other components-- of the vacuum. In this view the physical momentum\nof an object is related to the radiative momentum flux of the vacuum\ninstantaneously contained in the characteristic proper volume of the object.\nThe interaction process between the accelerated object and the vacuum (akin to\nabsorption or scattering of electromagnetic radiation) appears to generate a\nphysical resistance (reaction force) to acceleration suggestive of what has\nbeen historically known as inertia.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/9802030",
"authors": [
"Alfonso Rueda",
"Bernhard Haisch"
],
"categories": [
"physics.gen-ph",
"gr-qc",
"physics.class-ph"
],
"doi": "10.1023/A:1018893903079",
"journal_ref": "Found.Phys.28:1057-1108,1998",
"title": "Contribution to inertial mass by reaction of the vacuum to accelerated motion",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/9802030"
},
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