Review of Monstein and Wesley?s Evidence of Scalar Longitudinal Waves
Leslee A. Kulba
Keywords: longitudinal waves, Maxwell?s equations, scalar potential, scalar waves
Monstein and Wesley believed that derivations from Maxwell?s equations required the existence of scalar electrodynamic waves. To test for a longitudinal component of an oscillating electric field, they constructed a mechanical polarizer and measured its ability to affect signal absorption. They observed that the signal was efficiently blocked when the polarizing rods were parallel to the direction of propagation, and practically unaffected when it was perpendicular. To see if this longitudinally-propagated component was a wave, they tested it for adherence to the inverse-square law and the law of reflection. The case for the former law was persuasive, and the latter looks hopeful, but requires experimental refinements.
