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		<property:Zusammenfassung rdf:datatype="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string">Chapter I. Introduction.&lt;br/&gt;Chapter II. Outline of the electromagnetic connections.&lt;br/&gt;Appendix A: The rotational ether in its application to electromagnetism.&lt;br/&gt;Chapter III. The elements of vectorial algebra and analysis.&lt;br/&gt;Chapter IV. Theory of plane electromagnetic waves.&lt;br/&gt;Appendix B: A gravitational and electromagnetic analogy.

''(OCR text)''
PREFACE. 

THIS work was originally meant to be a continuation of the 
series "Electromagnetic Induction and its Propagation," 
published in The Electrician in 1885-6-7, but left unfinished. 
Owing, however, to the necessity of much introductory 
repetition, this plan was at once found to be impracticable, 
and was, by request, greatly modified. The result is something approaching a connected treatise on electrical theory, 
though without the strict formality usually associated with 
a treatise. As critics cannot always find time to read more 
than the preface, the following remarks may serve to direct 
their attention to some of the leading points in this volume. 

The first chapter will, I believe, be found easy to read, 
and may perhaps be useful to many men who are accustomed 
to show that they are practical by exhibiting their ignorance 
of the real meaning of scientific and mathematical methods 
of enquiry. 

The second chapter, pp. 20 to 131, consists of an outline 
scheme of the fundamentals of electromagnetic theory from 
the Faraday-Maxwell point of view, with some small modifications and extensions upon Maxwell's equations. It is done 
in terms of my rational units, which furnish the only way ot 
carrying out the idea of lines and tubes of force in a consistent and intelligible manner. It is also done mainly in 
terms of vectors, for the sufficient reason that vectors are 
the main subject of investigation. It is also done in the 
duplex form I introduced in 1885, whereby the electric and 
magnetic sides of electromagnetism are symmetrically exhibited and connected, whilst the "forces" and "fluxes" 
are the objects of immediate attention, instead of the 
potential functions which are such powerful aids to obscuring 
and complicating the subject, and hiding from view useful 
and sometimes important relations. 

The third chapter, pp. 132 to 305, is devoted to vector 
algebra and analysis, in the form used by me in my former 
papers. As I have at the beginning and end of this chapter 
stated my views concerning the unsuitability of quaternions 
for physical requirements, and my preference for a vector 
algebra which is based upon the vector and is dominated by 
vectorial ideas instead of quaternionic, it is needless to say 
more on the point here. But I must add that it has been 
gratifying to discover among mathematical physicists a considerable and rapidly growing appreciation of vector algebra 
on these lines; and moreover, that students who had found 
quaternions quite hopeless could understand my vectors very 
well. Regarded as a treatise on vectorial algebra, this chapter has manifest shortcomings. It is only the first rudiments 
of the subject. Nevertheless, as the reader may see from the 
applications made, it is fully sufficient for ordinary use in 
the mathematical sciences where the Cartesian mathematics 
is usually employed, and we need not trouble about more 
advanced developments before the elements are taken up. 
Now, there are no treatises on vector algebra in existence yet, 
suitable for mathematical physics, and in harmony with the 
Cartesian mathematics (a matter to which I attach the 
greatest importance). I believe, therefore, that this chapter 
may be useful as a stopgap. 

The fourth chapter, pp. 306 to 466, is devoted to the 
theory of plane electromagnetic waves, and, being mainly 
descriptive, may perhaps be read with profit by many who 
are unable to tackle the mathematical theory comprehensively. It may be also useful to have results of mathematical 
reasoning expanded into ordinary language for the benefit of 
mathematicians themselves, who are sometimes too apt to 
work out results without a sufficient statement of their 
meaning and effect. But it is only introductory to plane 
waves. Some examples in illustration thereof have been 
crowded out, and will probably be given in the next volume. 
I have, however, included in the present volume the application of the theory (in duplex form) to straight wires, and 
also an account of the effects of self-induction and leakage, 
which are of some significance in present practice as well 
as in possible future developments. There have been some 
very queer views promulgated officially in this country concerning the speed of the current, the impotence of selfinduction, and other material points concerned. No matter 
how eminent they may be in their departments, officials need 
not be scientific men. It is not expected of them. But 
should they profess to be, and lay down the law outside their 
knowledge, and obstruct the spreading of views they cannot 
understand, their official weight imparts a fictitious importance to their views, and acts most deleteriously in propagating 
error, especially when their official position is held up as a 
screen to protect them from criticism. But in other countries 
there is, I find, considerable agreement with my views. 

Having thus gone briefly through the book, it is desirable 
to say a few words regarding the outline sketch of electromagnetics in the second chapter. Two diverse opinions have 
been expressed about it. On the one hand, it has been said 
to be too complicated. This probably came from a simpleminded man. On the other hand, it has been said to be too 
simple. This objection, coming from a wise man, is of 
weight, and demands some notice. 

Whether a theory can be rightly described as too simple 
depends materially upon what it professes to be. The phenomena involving electromagnetism may be roughly divided 
into two classes, primary and secondary. Besides the main 
primary phenomena, there is a large number of secondary 
ones, partly or even mainly electromagnetic, but also trenching 
upon other physical sciences. Now the question arises whether 
it is either practicable or useful to attempt to construct a 
theory of such comprehensiveness as to include the secondary 
phenomena, and to call it the theory of electromagnetism. I 
think not, at least at present. It might perhaps be done ii 
the secondary phenomena were thoroughly known ; but their 
theory is so much more debatable than that of the primary 
phenomena that it would be an injustice to the latter to too 
closely amalgamate them. Then again, the expression of the 
theory would be so unwieldy as to be practically useless ; the 
major phenomena would be apparently swamped by the minor. 
It would, therefore, seem best not to attempt too much, but 
to have a sort of abstract electromagnetic scheme for the 
primary phenomena only, and have subsidiary extensions 
thereof for the secondary. The theory of electromagnetism 
is then a primary theory, a skeleton framework corresponding 
to a possible state of things simpler than the real in innumerable details, but suitable for the primary effects, and 
furnishing a guide to special extensions. From this point of 
view, the theory cannot be expressed too simply, provided it 
be a consistent scheme, and be sufficiently comprehensive to 
serve for a framework. I believe the form of theory in the 
second chapter will answer the purpose. It is especially 
useful in the duplex way of exhibiting the relations, which is 
clarifying in complicated cases as well as in simple ones. It 
is essentially Maxwell's theory, but there are some differences. 
Some are changes of form only ; for instance, the rationalisation effected by changing the units, and the substitution ol 
the second circuital law for Maxwell's equation of electromotive force involving the potentials, etc. But there is one 
change in particular which raises a fresh question. What is 
Maxwell's theory? or, What should we agree to understand 
by Maxwell's theory ? 

The first approximation to the answer is to say, There is 
Maxwell's book as he wrote it ; there is his text, and there 
are his equations : together they make his theory. But when 
we come to examine it closely, we find that this answer is 
unsatisfactory. To begin with, it is sufficient to refer to 
papers by physicists, written say during the twelve years 
following the first publication of Maxwell's treatise, to see 
that there may be much difference of opinion as to what his 
theory is. It may be, and has been, differently interpreted by 
different men, which is a sign that it is not set forth in a perfectly clear and unmistakeable form. There are many obscurities and some inconsistencies. Speaking for myself, it was 
only by changing its form of presentation that I was able to 
see it clearly, and so as to avoid the inconsistencies. Now 
there is no finality in a growing science. It is, therefore, 
impossible to adhere strictly to Maxwell's theory as he gave it 
to the world, if only on account of its inconvenient form. 
But it is clearly not admissible to make arbitrary changes in 
it and still call it his. He might have repudiated them 
utterly. But if we have good reason to believe that the 
theory as stated in his treatise does require modification to 
make it self-consistent, and to believe that he would have 
admitted the necessity of the change when pointed out to him, 
then I think the resulting modified theory may well be called 
Maxwell's. 

Now this state of things is exemplified by his celebrated 
circuital law defining the electric current in terms of magnetic 
force. For although he did not employ the other, or second 
circuital law, yet it may be readily derived from his equation 
of electromotive force ; and when this is done, and the law 
made a fundamental one, we readily see that the change it 
suffers in passing from the case of a stationary to that of a 
moving medium should be necessarily accompanied by a 
similar change in the first, or Maxwell's circuital law. An 
independent formal proof is unnecessary ; the similarity of 
form and of the conditions of motion show that Maxwell's 
auxiliary term in the electromotive force, viz., VqB (the 
motional electric force), where q is the velocity of the medium 
and B the induction, requires the use of a similar auxiliary 
term in the first circuital law, viz., VDq, the motional 
magnetic force, D being the displacement. And there is yet 
another change sometimes needed. For whilst B is circuital, 
so that a convective magnetic current does not appear in 
the second circuital equation, D is not always circuital, and 
convective electric current must therefore appear in the first 
circuital equation. For the reason just mentioned, it is the 
theory as thus modified that I consider to represent the true 
Maxwellian theory, with the other small changes required to 
make a fit. But further than this I should not like to go, 
because, having made a fit, it is not necessary, and because it 
would be taking too great a liberty to make additions without 
the strongest reason to consider them essential. 

The following example, which has been suggested to me 
by remarks in Prof. Lodge's recent paper on " Aberration 
Problems," referring to a previous investigation of Prof. J. J. 
Thomson, will illustrate the matter in question. It is known 
that if V be the speed of light through ether, the speed 
through a stationary transparent body, say water, is V//A, if p 
is the refractive index. Now what is the speed when the 
water is itself moving in the same direction as the light 
waves ? This is a very old problem. Fresnel considered that 
the external ether was stationary, and that the ether was /a 2 
times as dense in the water as outside, and that, when 
moving, the water only carried forward with it the extra ether 
it contained (or equivalently). This makes the speed of 
light referred to the external ether be V//* + v(l -ft~ 2 ), if v 
is the speed of the water. The experiments of Fizeau and 
Michelson have shown that this result is at least approximately true, and there is other evidence to support FresnePs 
hypothesis, at least in a generalised form. But, in the case 
of water, the additional speed of light due to the motion of 
the water might be ^v instead of (1 - fir 2 ) v, without much 
disagreement. Now suppose we examine the matter electromagnetically, and enquire what the increased speed through 
a moving dielectric should be. If we follow Maxwell's 
equations literally, we shall find that the extra speed is 1/2ν, 
provided i?/V is small. This actually seems to corroborate 
the experimental results. But the argument is entirely a 
deceptive one. Maxwell's theory is a theory of propagation 
through a simple medium. Fundamentally it is the ether, 
but when we pass to a solid or liquid dielectric it is still to be 
regarded as a simple medium in the same sense, because the 
only change occurring in the equations is in the value of one 
or both ethereal constants, the permittivity and inductivity 
practically only the first. Consequently, if we find, as above, 
that when the medium is itself moved, its velocity is not 
superimposed upon that of the velocity of waves through the 
medium at rest, the true inference is that there is something 
wrong with the theory. For all motion is relative, and it is 
an axiomatic truth that there should be superimposition of 
velocities, so that V//* + v should be the velocity in the above 
case according to any rational theory of propagation through 
a simple medium, the extra velocity being the full v t instead 
of Jv. And, as a matter of fact, if we employ the modified 
or corrected circuital law above referred to, we do obtain full 
superimposition of velocities. 

This example shows the importance of having a simply 
expressed and sound primary theory. For if the auxiliary 
hypotheses required to explain outstanding or secondary phe- 
nomena be conjoined to an imperfect primary theory we shall 
surely be led to wrong results. Whereas if the primary theory 
be good, there is at least a chance of its extension by auxiliary 
hypotheses being also good. The true conclusion from Fizeau 
and Michelson's results is that a transparent medium like 
water cannot be regarded as (in the electromagnetic theory) 
a simple medium like the ether, at least for waves of light, 
and that a secondary theory is necessary. Fresnel's sagacious 
speculation is justified, except indeed as regards its form of 
expression. The ether, for example, may be identical inside 
and outside the body, and the matter slip through it without 
sensibly affecting it. At any rate the evidence that this is the 
case preponderates, the latest being Prof. Lodge's experiments 
with whirling discs, though on the other hand must not be 
forgotten the contrary conclusion arrived at by Michelson as 
to the absence of relative motion between the earth and surrounding ether. But if the ether be stationary, Fresnel's 
speculation is roughly equivalent to supposing that the molecules of transparent matter act like little condensers in increas- 
ing the permittivity, and that the matter, when in motion, 
only carries forward the increased permittivity. But however 
this matter may be finally interpreted, we must have a clear 
primary theory that can be trusted within its limits. Whether 
Maxwell's theory will last, as a sufficient and satisfactory 
primary theory upon which the numerous secondary developments required may be grafted, is a matter for the future 
to determine. Let it not be forgotten that Maxwell's theory 
is only the first step towards a full theory of the .ether ; and, 
moreover, that no theory of the ether can be complete that 
does not fully account for the omnipresent force of gravi- 
tation. 

There is one other matter that demands notice in conclusion. It is not long since it was taken for granted that the 
common electrical units were correct. That curious and 
obtrusive constant 4?r was considered by some to be a sort of 
blessed dispensation, without which all electrical theory would 
fall to pieces. I believe that this view is now nearly extinct, 
and that it is well recognised that the 4?r was an unfortunate 
and mischievous mistake, the source of many evils. In plain 
English, the common system of electrical units involves an 
irrationality of the same kind as would be brought into the 
metric system of weights and measures, were we to define 
the unit area to be the area, not of a square with unit side, 
but of a circle of unit diameter. The constant TT would then 
obtrude itself into the area of a rectangle, and everywhere 
it should not be, and be a source of great confusion and 
inconvenience. So it is in the common electrical units, 
which are truly irrational. Now, to make a mistake is easy 
and natural to man. But that is not enough. The next 
thing is to correct it. When a mistake has once been started, 
it is not necessary to go on repeating it for ever and ever 
with cumulative inconvenience. 

The B. A. Committee on Electrical Standards had to do 
two kinds of work. There was the practical work of making 
standards from the experimentally found properties of matter 
(and ether). This has been done at great length, and with 
much labour and success. But there was also the theoretical 
work of fixing the relations of the units in a convenient, 
rational, and harmonious manner. This work has not yet 
been done. To say that they ought to do it is almost a 
platitude. Who else should do it ? To say that there is 
not at present sufficient popular demand for the change does 
not seem very satisfactory. Is it not for leaders to lead ? 
And who should lead but the men of light and leading who 
have practical influence in the matter ? 

Whilst, on the one hand, the immense benefit to be gained 
by rationalising the units requires some consideration to fully 
appreciate, it is, on the other hand, very easy to overestimate 
the difficulty of making the change. Some temporary inconvenience is necessary, of course. For a time there would be 
two sorts of ohms, &amp;c., the old style and the new (or rational). 
But it is not a novelty to have two sorts of ohms. There 
have been several already. Eemember that the number of 
standards in present existence is as nothing to the number 
going to be made, and with ever increasing rapidity, by reason 
of the enormously rapid extension of electrical industries. 

Old style instruments would very soon be in a minority, and 
then disappear, like the pins. I do not know that there is a 
more important practical question than this one of rationalising the units, on account of its far-reaching effect, and 
think that whilst the change could be made now with ease 
(with a will, of course), it will be far more troublesome if 
put off until the general British units are reformed; even 
though that period be not so distant as it is customary to 
believe. Electricians should set a good example. 

The reform which I advocate is somewhat similar to the 
important improvement made by chemists in their units 
about a quarter of a century ago. One day our respected 
master informed us that it had been found out that water 
was not HO, as he had taught us before, but something 
else. It was henceforward to be H 2 0. This was strange 
at first, and inconvenient, for so many other formulae had 
to be altered, and new books written. But no one questions 
the wisdom of the change. Now observe, here, that the 
chemists, when they found that their atomic weights were 
wrong, and their formulae irrational, did not cry " Too late," 
ignore the matter, and ask Parliament to legalise the old 
erroneous weights ! They went and set the matter right. 
Verb. sap. 

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