The μ–ε Continuum: Energy Balance and Variable Light Speed
1. Introduction
The concept of immutable constants in electromagnetism—specifically the magnetic permeability (μ₀) and electric permittivity (ε₀) of free space—has formed the basis of modern physics since Maxwell’s synthesis in the 19th century. These constants define the speed of light, c=1/sqrt{με}, and underlie the invariance postulate of relativity. However, as physical understanding extends from atomic to cosmic scales, the assumption that μ and ε are strictly uniform becomes increasingly untenable. Spatial variations in field density, curvature, and impedance strongly suggest that these quantities are not constants but field-dependent parameters reflecting the local state of the electromagnetic medium—historically referred to as the ether.
In this expanded framework, the “vacuum” is not an empty void but a structured continuum characterized by μ and ε. This continuum can vary with energy density, gravitational curvature, and even particle motion, leading to a variable speed of light (VSL) that remains consistent with energy conservation but not with uniformity of space.
The roots of this approach can be traced to Dmitri Mendeleev, whose periodic table revealed that matter is organized according to repeating electromagnetic patterns. Atomic structure—the distribution of charges and magnetic moments—is inherently a μ–ε system. Each element expresses a characteristic balance of magnetic permeability and electric polarizability. Mendeleev’s periodicity can thus be reinterpreted as a discrete projection of the continuous μ–ε field, demonstrating that the electromagnetic properties of matter reflect the deeper continuity of space itself. In this sense, the atomic table emerges from quantized variations within the μ–ε continuum, linking microscopic material behavior with the large-scale structure of the ether.
This continuum model also provides a natural framework for unifying electromagnetism, inertia, and gravitation. Variations in μ and ε alter both light speed and impedance, creating regions where energy is partially confined—an electromagnetic interpretation of mass. The gradients of these quantities define an impedance curvature, producing gravitational-like effects without requiring mass as a separate primitive. Consequently, the classical constants μ₀ and ε₀ are reinterpreted as equilibrium values in a dynamic system that sustains both radiation and matter.