Abstract

Pari Spolter has empirically confirmed the existence of a force F ∝ RV² in our solar system, where R = planet semi-major orbital radius and V = planet semi-major orbital radius velocity. This dominant force term is accurate to 5 significant figures and determines the orbit of every planet, moon, and satellite in the solar system. Excel spreadsheets of the solar system data are presented along with graphical displays showing the quality and accuracy of the data fit. When Spolter's force is compared with the axiomatically derived universal electrodynamic force law, this new force is found to be represented in the 3rd and 4th terms of the universal force. (The 1st and 2nd terms represent the relativistic-like Coulomb force, the relativistic-like force of inertia, and the relativistic-like force of gravity.) The condition for stable orbits in the solar system is found to be due to a dynamic balance of all four terms in the universal force law. Thus Spolter's work contributes to the confirmation of all the terms in the axiomatically derived electrodynamic force law. The universal force law shows that previous extensions of linear forces to circular motion are theoretically invalid in that they miss some of the v²/c² terms and the cross vector terms R x (R x V) and R x (R x A) which give the big picture of the solar system where the motion of planets about the sun is on the surface of a toroid centered on the equatorial plane of the sun with a combination of circular motions, i.e. one around the toroid and the other around the cross section of the toroid. Finally the universal electrodynamic force law is expected to produce quantum-like effects in the solar system, such as Bode's Law, due to the balance of force terms as the condition for stability or resonance.