Groupthink and the Blunder of the Gauges

Abstract

We review the issue of the fallacy of the gauge concept in electromagnetism and discuss the possible role of groupthink in the perpetuation of this erroneous concept throughout the physics literature. Brief elementary arguments are presented to demonstrate the fallacy. The extreme simplicity of the demonstrations is sufficient proof that the norms of the scientific method have been ignored in this matter. Groupthink offers a plausible explanation for the perpetuation of the gauge fallacy for the past century and a half.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 18, 2009
Accession Number
ADA597040

Entities

People

  • Mark A. Johnson
  • Paul J. Cote

Organizations

  • United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

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  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

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  • Abstracts
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  • Differential Equations
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Fields of Study

  • Physics

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