Secrets of Electromagnetism

Doctrine of electromagnetism criticized for a long timespeaking of him: incomprehensible, complex, contradictory.

Indeed, there are about a hundred paradoxes in it. However, their theoretical analysis, so to speak, theorization, refinement, despite the usefulness of such a lesson, sometimes still smacks of something cabinet, speculative. In such cases, one involuntarily wants to ask: is there anything new in practice, in experiments, that would even astonish the most experienced theorists?

I must say that unusual experiments, nevertheless explainable within the framework of the existing doctrine, can be counted with a dozen. Among them there are those who finally open the way to a new electrodynamics - clear, simple and logical, devoid of paradoxes.

Let's talk about both. Extremely spectacular look "motors" in which between the electrodes, where the high voltage is connected, a variety of objects rotate frantically. One such wheel was built by Franklin. The principle of its operation is very simple: charges, repelled by Coulomb forces, flow from the electrodes to the rotor.

An experiment with a metal pipe to which current is supplied is curious. As you know, in the cavity of any metal object that is under voltage, there is no electric field. So, if you put a grounded wire inside the pipe, its electric capacity will increase. Why? How does a pipe “notice” that it has a wire inside? It turns out that his tail, the one that joins the earth, enters the electric external field and, like a pump, draws the necessary charges into the wire.

There is no “new" physics in these phenomena. Much more reserves for its construction are fraught with a magnetic field. At one time, quite a lot was written about the works of R. Sigalov. The Ferghana physicists managed to trace the behavior of the "corners" with currents.

Two conductors forming an angle can move the structure, doing it on their own. It seemed that a new phenomenon was evident, but upon careful examination it turned out that the well-known Lorentz forces work here and that everything is explained by well-known laws. And although scientists did not find physical novelty here, nevertheless they managed to come up with several amazing designs, previously unknown in technology.

The situation with magnetic supports is more interesting. If the same poles of two permanent magnets are turned to each other, then there will be no magnetic field in the gap - this follows from an elementary school course in physics. But if a conductor is placed in this gap, and the poles are slightly shifted, a current will appear in the conductor. (Interviewed, due to what?

This paradox was discovered by Buly in 1935. Its explanation is this: electric fields can always be added, but magnetic ones - only if their sources (magnets, electromagnets) are based on a common platform. The superposition of magnetic fields, that is, their superposition, is not always possible. This conclusion is extremely important for science and technology - after all, sometimes theoretical summation in practice leads to incorrect results. It is surprising, by the way, that this has not yet been legalized by reference books and textbooks.

The experience of Grano is interesting. If on mercury, through which current is passed, throw a nail, copper wedges. sawdust, then they will immerse in liquid metal and begin to move in the direction where the blunt end looks. And here the same Lorentz forces seem to be working.

From the conical surfaces of the pointed ends of the current filament exit (or enter) perpendicular to these surfaces. In the magnetic field of the current flowing in mercury, a force is applied to these filaments perpendicular to the direction of its flow; this is how the wedge is pushed out. So Tom Sawyer shot cherry bones, squeezing them with his fingers.

The paradox of Grano.A copper cylinder placed in mercury with a current passed through it begins to move forward with that end face, the area of ​​which is larger.

Finally, two more unusual experiments. And it is they, in our opinion, that make it possible to talk about a new approach. This refers to the work of the Tomsk physicist G. Nikolaev, which caused a sensation in electrodynamics. After many years of theoretical research, Nikolaev came to the conclusion that, besides the well-known, there should be another, unknown second magnetic field, and built many models on which he clearly showed how this second field manifests itself.

Here is one of the descriptions of a "simple" experience. A floating bridge made of electrically conductive material is placed in the baths with electrolyte. An electric current is passed through the circuit "bath - bridge - bath". In parallel with the bridge, another conductor is placed - a bus, along which current also flows, only much larger. So, as soon as the bus is connected to a current source, the bridge begins to float. If the currents are unidirectional, then they are attracted, so the bridge rises exactly under the bus and parallel to it. But not only that, the bridge also moves along the tire, stopping exactly under its middle.

Why is the bridge centered? There is something to think about. The author of the experiment himself claims - in his words there is a reason - that not only the transverse Lorentz force directed from the tire, but also the longitudinal force, previously not seen by anyone, acts on the floating conductor.

If you call it "the strength of Nikolaev", then the Dutch and Tomsk physicists in total guarantee that there are no "side" forces with which they are. for two centuries, physicists have been tormented, not at all. Two currents act on each other by central forces directed exactly along the radius between them.

They did not notice the strength of Nikolaev only by negligence, but also because it turned out to be superfluous in the "finished" theoretical description. If you need to reflect on experiences of Nikolaev, then you come to the conclusion that two "pieces" of current affect each other in exactly the same way as two charges: in a straight line.

It seems that Nikolaev’s experience may well be the decisive experience that will open the barrier to a new, much simpler, true electrodynamics. However, this will require other experiments.

It is curious that back in 1935, physicists noticed how a superconducting sample repels a “foreign” magnetic field (the Meissner effect). Everyone knew that EMF was induced only by an alternating magnetic field, but here it is constant. So, said F. London, the magnetic field itself gives strength.

Meissner effect demonstration

Not understanding the nature of these forces, the engineers nevertheless took advantage of them. So, in 1975, Moscow electricians managed to transfer a current twice as large as usual through a superconducting tube, creating a special magnetic field in the working area.

Nevertheless, the mystery of the Meissner effect promised too much. After all, the appearance current in a superconductor it is possible only when a force appears, which means that the force is created not by increments of the magnetic field, as dictated by Maxwell's equations, but by the field itself. Electrodynamics will have to be repaired, this is inevitable, because it should become a common doctrine that combines the most diverse aspects of real electrical engineering reality. Indeed, in some cases, in particular for superconductors, it stopped working.

But how to directly relate the magnetic field itself and the forces generated by it? As soon as this unusual formulation of the question was accepted for action, several ways to solve it were immediately identified. Here is a special, long-used function of the vector potential, and bias currents, and magnetic field energy.

The problem of the longitudinal current and the electric field created by it in magnetostatic processes has matured so much that even popular paraphrases have appeared about it (Okolotin V. A supertask for superconductors. Nauka, 1983, pp. 115-121).

It seems that this field has already been discovered and is starting to work in inventions.The appearance of the fourth electric power will strengthen electrical engineering by about a third. Perhaps something else is even more important: the victory of a creative attitude to one’s business. It turned out to be right those who believed in the reserves of electromagnetism, trying to put them at the service of people.

I wonder how much the unknown is hidden in other sections of physics? Probably the next treasure is hidden in mechanics, in the section of inertia. Wait and see.

Vladimir Okolotin

According to the materials of the journal "Youth Technology"

See also: Minato Magnetic Motor