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>The EM field is always there Hmm sounds dangerously close to aether theory. I thought we had moved past this … that EM waves exist in their own right without
by rusk 3y ago
>The EM field is always there
Hmm sounds dangerously close to aether theory. I thought we had moved past this … that EM waves exist in their own right without need for a medium. Unlike sound say.
- gabia 3y agoAether refers to some historical ideas (which evolved over time), and though the word isn’t in use anymore the current model of fields has similarities (ofc in many ways very different). Have just been reading some of the history of this (Einstein plays a big role), it’s very interesting, thank you! :) You might be interested in this discussion https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27942970 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27942970
- rusk 3y agoWay over my head unfortunately
- zmgsabst 3y agoWilczek points out that field theories are aether theories — as is relativity. “Aether just means this one particular historical model!” is branding more than reality; and hides the fact that modern theories also describe an everywhere substrate of which particles are localized excitations and gravity is localized warping.
- runlaszlorun 3y agoAir is aether.