A Comprehensive Fundamental Electrical Formula

Abstract

THE equation given by Dr. C. V. Drysdale in NATURE of December 3 presents a useful picture in electrical concepts of the forces acting respectively upon stationary and moving electric charges. By incorporating permeability in the term for the velocity of electric wave propagation, he avoids, if he does not annihilate, magnetic notions. In the second term of his equation, the force is seen to depend not on the difference of the velocities, V and Vâ, of the charges, but on their product. This suggests that the force is determined by velocities solely with respect to a basic medium. There is still hope therefore of immortality for Maxwell and for that “glorious work of fine intelligence”, the ether.