Dynamic theory of gravity

Nikola Tesla's dynamic theory of gravity was an attempt to ascertain a theory between gravitational radiation and the electromagnetic force as a unified field theory (a model over the aether, matter, and energy). Little mathematical details of the theory are available (as it was never fully published), nor is there any evidence that Tesla ever worked them out fully.

At the time of his announcement, it was considered by the scientific establishment to exceed the bounds of reason. Some believe that Tesla never fully developed the Unified Field Theory, nor that any physicist in the years since it was first postulated. Tesla's theory is ignored by some researchers.

Critique

The most documented part is Tesla's critique of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity - Tesla published a prepared statement on his 81st birthday (July 10, 1937) critiquing Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. Tesla announcement was near the end of his life. The following is a portion of that statement:

[The Dynamic theory of gravity] ... explains the causes and motions of heavenly bodies under it's influence so satisifactory that it will put to an end idle speculation and false conception, as that of curved space ... '

Only the existence of a field of force can account for the motions of the bodies as observed, and its assumption dispenses with space curvature. All literature on this subject is futile and destined to oblivion. So are all attempts to explain the workings of the universe without recognizing the existence of the ether and the indispensable function it plays in the phenomena ...

My second discovery was of a physical truth of the greatest importance. As I have searched the entire scientific records in more than a half dozen languages for a long time without finding the least anticipation, I consider myself the original discoverer of this truth, which can be expressed by the statement: There is no energy in matter other than that received from the environment. On my 79th birthday I made a brief reference to it, but its meaning and significance have become clearer to me since then. It applies rigorously to molecules and atoms as well as the largest heav-enly bodies, and to all matter in the universe in any phase of its existence from it: very formation to its ultimate disintegration.

Before the electron theory was advanced, I had established that radioactive rays consisted of particles of primary matter not further decomposable...

... The kinetic and potential energy of a body is the result of motion and determined by the product of its mass and the square of velocity. Let the mass be reduced, the energy is diminished in the same proportion. If it be reduced to zero the energy is likewise zero for any finite velocity. In other words, it is absolutely impossible to convert mass into energy. It would be different if there were forces in nature capable of imparting to a mass infinite velocity. Then the product of zero mass with the square of infinite velocity would represent infinite energy. But we know that there are no such forces and the idea that mass is convertible into energy is rank nonsense._[1]

While this statement asserted that Tesla had "worked out a dynamic theory of gravity" that he soon hoped to give to the world, he reportedly died before he publicized the details. Few details were revealed by Tesla about his theory. Tesla's critique was the opening clash between him and modern experimental physics. Tesla may have viewed his principles in such a manner as to not be in conflict with other modern theories (besides Einstein's). _{[5; pg 247]}

Lectures, patents, and articles

During a lecture, in 1891, on the struture of the aether and electromagnetics, Tesla stated that there was "an infinitesimal world, with molecules and thier atoms spinning and moving in orbits, in much the same manner as celestial bodies carrying with them static charges ...", and, there were independent carriers transmitting "... tensions or electrostatic strains ...". _[3] These principles guided his future research and experiments. This also predated the research of Rutherford, Bohr, and Einstien. Rutherford later cites Tesla's high frequency alternating current circuitry when he conducted his wireless experiments. _{[2; pg. 103]}

The bulk of the theory was developed between 1892 and 1894, during the period that he was conducting experiments with high frequency and high potential electromagnetism, and was complete (according to Tesla) by the end of the 1930s. As an alternative to Einstein's general relativity, Tesla's theory explained gravity using electrodynamics consisting of transverse waves (to a lesser extent) and longitudinal waves (for the majority). _{[2; pg. 103 - 104]}

Reminiscent of Mach's principle, Tesla stated in 1925 that,

There is no thing endowed with life - from man, who is enslaving the elements, to the nimblest creature - in all this world that does not sway in it's turn. Whenever action is born from force, though it be infinitesimal, the cosmic balance is upset and the universal motion results._[4]

vs. Relativity

Edwin Gora, physics professor at Providence College and student of Arnold Sommerfeld and Werner Heisenberg, stated that aether could not be detected with the apparatus that researchers were using at the time which lead to Einstein developing his theory. Einstein's theory was about non-euclidean space-time (interpreting the gravitational field as a geometric phenomenon). The gravitational field is equated to being the curved space. This comprised, basically, a "new" abstract aether._{[2; pg. 102; 420]}

There is disagreement about Tesla's exact understanding of Einstein's theories, as Tesla was actively conducting his research during the time of Einstein's expanding research. Tesla disagreed with the concept of space being curved. Tesla stated such a notion was "self-contridictory" because,

... Supposing that the bodies act upon the surrounding space causing curving of the same, it appears to my simple mind that the curved spaces must react on the bodies, and producing the opposite effects, straightening out the curves. Since action and reaction are coexistent, it follows that the supposed curvature of space is entirely impossible - But even if it existed it would not explain the motions of the bodies, as observed. _[1]

Tesla did not accept Einstein's theory because curved space would produce effects that would straighten out the curves. Celestial observations of the time, such as by Arthur Stanley Eddington, were manipulated to fit Einstien's theory._{[2; pg. 420] [6]}

Tesla's basic arguments against space being curved by gravitational effects leads some to believe Tesla failed to understand Einstein's relativity theories. Principles of relativity which some believe that Tesla disputed show up in range of effects (and have been confirmed by some experiments). The relativistic relation between mass and energy shows up in a variety of phenomena, such as energy released by particle-antiparticle collisions and absorbed by particle-antiparticle pair creation (annihilation).

Later developments

Until shortly before Tesla's death, Tesla refused to pick up the notion that energy could be obtained from matter (by atomic fission). Once Tesla relucantly accepted the faint possibility of such internal energy, he devised an apparatus that would test, for his particle gun, the modent atomic structure theory. Tesla believed, if it was proven correct, that he could ultilize it more efficiently. _{[5; pg. 247; 249]}

References

[1] : Tesla, Nikola, "Prepared Statement of Tesla". Institute of Immigrant Welfare, May 12, 1938.

[2] : Seifer, Marc J., "Wizard, the Life and Times of Nikola Tesla". ISBN 1-559723-29-7

[3] : Tesla, Nikola, "Experiments With Alternating Curtrents of Very High Frequency and Their Application to Methods of Artifical Illumination". American Institue of Electrical Engineers, Columbia College. May, 20, 1891.

[4] : Tesla, Nikola, "How Cosmic Forces Shape Our Destiny". New York American, Feburary 27, 1925.

[5] : O'Neill, John H., "Prodigal Genius". ISBN 0-914732-33-1

[6] : Waller, John, "Einstein's Luck: The Truth Behind Some of the Greatest Scientific Discoveries". Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0198607199

External links and other references

• Tesla, Nikola, "Prepared Statement of Tesla". July 10, 1937. (Interview with press on 81st birthday observance; DOC format)
• The Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century: Nikola Tesla, Forgotten Genius of Electricity, Robert Lomas, Headline Book Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0747262659
• "Tesla's Dynamic Theory of Gravity". PESWiki, Pure Energy Systems Network Inc.