<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Err, I thought that was the whole point of going through all these papers over the last few weeks? You folks offered me what you suggested was a derivation of "magnetic reconnection" that was based on Maxwell's equations. None of those equations says a peep about "monopoles" or invisible elves.</DIV></p><p>I'll assume that by equating monopoles to invisible elves, you are still stuck on the particle aspect of monopoles. Obviously, you haven't done any quality research. If your intention is to write a paper for publication, it would behoove you to do your own research to try to understand the meaning behind his use of the "term" (not particle) monopole. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Actually, I didn't even realize that Priest evoked monopoles in his equations until I went through it more thuroughly and realized there was no rational way for me to proceed based on his use of monopoles. I can't just "fudge" here if I'm going to use and stick to Maxwell's equations to make my point. I can't just "fake" the fact that he evoked a particle that blatenly and brazenly goes against the "laws"" of electrical theory, specifically Gauss's law of magnetism that treats all magnetic fields as "dipoles", not "monopoles". Gauss's law expressly forbids monopoles in favor of dipoles. It has to be one or the other and the dipoles are the "law".</DIV></p><p>You are not going to make any progress until you get rid of this notion that Priest "<strong><em>in</em></strong>voked" the need for a monopole particle. </p><p>Don't you think you are being a bit hypocritical concerning Gauss' law for magnetism? Throughout this entire thread you argue against math being a description of reality in certain (if not many) cases. However, when the tables are turned on you, you are insistent that the math is "law" and can not be touched.</p><p>If monopoles are ever found to be a reality, the formula simply gets adjusted and will be just as valid in describing the reality that we exist in as it ever did. </p><p>But, alas... the only one talking about magnetic monopole 'particles' is you. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>No, they clearly wrote it for astronomers from the perspective of astronomy. I can't even imagine an electrical engineering publications ever publishing something that evoked monopoles in the equations.</DIV></p><p>I can't imagine electrical engineers using monopoles either. Why would they? Monopoles (as in particles) are generally found being described in quantum physics and astrophysics. I do think electrical engineers deal with point charges in the electrical field which is analogous to magnetic monopoles. It's really just a description of quantized charges. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>You seem to be assuming that astronomers are "special" in their understanding of the properties of a mythical particle that Guth claimed didn't exist because of his theory of inflation.</DIV></p><p>Considering Priest is not referring to the same thing you are, this whole argument is a non-sequitur. However, I'll address it anyway. I don't believe Guth made such a claim. I believe inflation allows for magnetic monopoles to have been create prior to inflation. After inflation, though, the density of magnetic monopoles are at such a level that they may be undetectable. Statistically speaking, they exist under inflation, but Guth is essentially saying good luck finding them. I could be wrong, but that how I interpret and understand it.</p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I got to tell you Derek, your attitude here seems well, "disturbing". Normally you're quite the rational guy, but on this monopole issue you're whistling dixie and we both know it.</DIV> </p><p>Huh? My attitude is disturbing? Not sure how you figure that. I've heard the term "whistling dixie" but I don't really know what it means. I don't know what you are talking about here. I'm just offering my interpretation of what Priest is referring to. I'm extremely confident that he is not talking about particles. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>If you intend to evoke something that doesn't exist in nature, you need to explain why you did so, just as I would have to explain why I evoked "invisible elves" in any mathematical presentation on Maxwell's equations that evoked them. It's not logical to evoke monopoles in relationship to Maxwell's equations since they are expressly forbidden in the laws of electromagnetism and also in MHD theory by proxy.</DIV></p><p>Priest didn't rely on something that doesn't exist in nature. This is you misinterpreting what he is referring to. You are (unintentionally?) setting up a strawman argument in doing this.</p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It's not for "real" Derek. Monopoles are not real. Leyman or not, there is no emprical evidence that they exist in nature! In fact, all magnetic fields are treated as a full and complete dipole field, without beginning and without end. They can't be broken up in to little monopoles. At most you might be able to break them down into little dipoles, but not monopoles because that violates our whole understanding of magnetic fields.</DIV> </p><p>Strawman... we're not talking about particles. Only you are. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It wasn't "common sense" to even use that term in relationship to Maxwell's equations. There is nothing "common sensical" about it.</DIV></p><p>Non-Sequitur. I was referring to <em><strong>my</strong></em> common sense... not Priest's. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>No you don't. You *think* you have some rationalization for why Priest used a term that defies the laws of physics.</DIV></p><p>Yes I do. The only laws he is defying are <em><strong>your</strong></em> laws. Fortunately for the rest of the world, they don't rely on <strong><em>your</em></strong> laws. </p><p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Um, ya, I can't let go of the "laws" of physics, otherwise we aren't describing "physics" anymore. There is a foundational issue here that cannot be "let go". Either magnetic fields are dipole fields that could only be logically referred to a dipole fields, or monopoles exists and any type of energy exchange is possible. Both of these options cannot be true. They are mutually exclusive concepts.It's not that I would never be able to "understand it". It's that I would forever have to "explain" it to everyone who ever read the paper, and I would forever be stuck like you, trying to rationalize a very poor choice of terms on his part, or a complete violation of the laws of physics at worst case. I won't inherit Preist's sins. It would undermine the whole reason for me even making this effort in the first place. If I am to show that "magnetic reconnection" is actually "circuit reconnection" with a little "induction" thrown in for fun, then it *must* be based *strickly* on Maxwell's equations, and not upon particles and concepts that violate the tenets of electrical theory. Heese and Birn might provide that possibility, but Preist's paper forever makes that impossible due to it's evokation of monopoles in the equations.IMO you're playing both sides of the street. On one hand you were arguing that we couldn't disprove the existence of monopoles. On the other hand you're also suggesting that Priest didn't really mean to use the term monopole or claim that monopoles exist. That seems self conflicted from my perspective. Either he evoked them (which he did) or he didn't and one of your arguments would not be necessary. Either you should agree with me that monopoles do not exist and would violate the laws of physics as we understand them, or you should stop trying to suggest they might exist. If we're going to stick with real "physics", we must assume that all magnetic fields are dipole fields, without beginning and without end, and that no monopoles may be used in any of Maxwell's equations. <br /> Posted by michaelmozina</DIV></p><p>Ad nauseum. Once again, I suggest rereading what exactly Priest said and research why it is valid. Setting up a strawman that he is referring to real, physical monopole particles is just ridiculous. Your entire argument is based on a false premise. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#0000ff" class="Apple-style-span">"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</span></div> </div>