Derivation of a Modernized Weber Force Law
| Scientific Paper | |
|---|---|
| Title | Derivation of a Modernized Weber Force Law |
| Author(s) | Thomas E Phipps |
| Keywords | Weber Force Law |
| Published | 1992 |
| Journal | Physics Essays |
| Volume | 5 |
| Number | 3 |
| Pages | 425-428 |
Abstract
A derivation from first principles is given of a modernized form, recently proposed in this journal [Phys. Essays 3, 414 (1990)], of the Weber action-at-a-distance law of force between point electrical charges. The modernization invokes the existence of a limiting relative particle speed in nature. Like Weber's original (1848) law, our result amounts to a Coulomb law describing static interaction, modified at higher orders to describe instant action-at-a-distance through a simple dependence of potential energy on charged-particle relative velocity. Weber's law appears as a low-speed limiting case.