Journal of Modern Physics, 2016, 7, 1132-1137

Published Online June 2016 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jmp

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jmp.2016.710102

The Nature, Origin and Propagation of the

Electric Field: A New Insight to
Fundamental Physics
Narahari V. Joshi
Department of Physics, University of Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela

Received 25 April 2016; accepted 16 June 2016; published 21 June 2016

Copyright © 2016 by author and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract
The nature, origin and propagation of the electric field are discussed for the first time on the basis
of the presence of vibrating strings in the space and their self-excitation process. It is considered
that the electron is formed from strings and it has specific vibrational frequency. This excites the
strings which are close by with the self-excitation process. This procedure which is continuous in
the space according to the symmetry and vibrational energy in the form of waves spreads near the
electron (or the charge particle), which behaves and carries energy known as electric field. In fact,
the electron does not continuously emit energy in any form but induces (or excites) and organizes
energy in a self-sustain vibrational form and extends in three dimensional space. Only on the basis
of the presence of strings (vibrational energy), several electromagnetic phenomena have been ex-
plained in a consistent way. The vibrational nature of the electric field is also examined with the
help of Stark effect and X-ray diffraction approach to support the present view.

Keywords
Electric Field, Strings as Compact Liquid, Self Excitation

1. Introduction
In spite of several years of research work, important aspects of electric field are not well understood, particularly
its nature and how it propagates in vacuum. According to the accepted theory [1] a charge particle like the elec-
tron emits energy continuously in some form. Following laws of symmetry, it is propagated in a spherical shape.
At a time t the sphere of radius ct is filled with electric energy where c is the velocity of light. After time dt the
sphere of radius c(t + dt) is filled with energy. The most important aspect is that the intensity of the field within

How to cite this paper: Joshi, N.V. (2016) The Nature, Origin and Propagation of the Electric Field: A New Insight to Fun-
damental Physics. Journal of Modern Physics, 7, 1132-1137. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jmp.2016.710102
 N. V. Joshi

the radius ct is not altered and extra energy or field is observed in the outer shell of thickness cdt. It is worth
mentioning that during this process the mass of the electron is the same. This means that energy is not conserved
and the electron or the charge particle cannot emit energy (or field) continuously.
This observation has no explanation on the basis of classical electrodynamics. However, in the frame work of
Quantum Field Theory (QFT) some explanation is provided. According to it (QFT), there exist intermediate
energy states. The sum of these states forms an integral which includes all energy states and momentum. Inte-
grals related with momentum become divergent. The renormalization route converts them into virtual (off shell)
particles. This results in absorption and emission of virtual particles by the electron (ultraviolet divergence).
This hypothesis based on QFT theory helps to explain the conservation of the charge of the electron [2].
A virtual particle is an explanatory conceptual entity that is originated in mathematical calculations in quan-
tum field theory and it is a confusing subject. This is a highly speculative assumption and the absorption of the
virtual particle is neither conformed theoretically nor experimentally. Sometimes, it is considered as distur-
bances in the field. Meanwhile, the absorption of the field in vacuum by vibrating strings and its feedback
process given by Van der Pol nonlinear differential equation do explain satisfactorily the conservation of charge
and mass [3].
The other very significant and fundamental aspect is that the charge particle (positive or negative) forms
equivi-potential circles (or points) and a field of lines (or sometimes field of force) are directed from the positive
charge outwards in the space meanwhile for the negative charge the field of lines are attracted towards it [1].
This explains the charge distribution in three dimensional space and the force can be calculated at any point.
However, it is never discussed why the field is directed towards the negative charge and it originates from the
positive charge. Meanwhile, the equi-potential surfaces have exactly the same properties. This contradiction,
which forms the base for electromagnetism, is completely overlooked. Recently, this paradox has been discussed
due to the motion of organized vibrating strings which not only explains the detail mechanism of formation of
equi-potential circles but also elucidates why they have clock wise and anti-clock wise properties [3] [4]. More-
over, it provides information about how and why the forces of attraction and repulsion are originated in between
two charge particles i.e. force at a distance [4].
Recently, some work has been carried out in this direction and Gauss law has been re-examined and it is es-
tablished that the energy does absorb in vacuum and space is filled with an excitable medium [5]. This is also
confirmed by Casimir effect [6] which is associated with zero point energy of quantized field. The direct expe-
rimental confirmation for the presence of energy in vacuum has been investigated and several experimental data
and patents have been reported [7]-[9]. Important aspect is that vacuum energy can be converted into electro-
magnetic energy and not any other form. According to the quantum field theory also, the field can be visualized
assuming that the space is filled with interconnecting vibrating units similar to strings.
A re-examination of Gauss law [5] also shows that the absorption of energy is roughly proportional to the in-
verse of the square of the distance from the electron, indicating that a considerable energy is absorbed very close
to the electron. This has a vibrational nature and it partly provides a feed back to the vibrational energy of the
electron [3] [5] and in some way gives pressure on the electron which can be associated with the Poincare stress.
In fact, the details and the origin for the stress has not received due attention [1]. However, the absorption of
energy by strings very close to the electron does provide a possible explanation.
Moreover, the above point of view, namely the considerable absorption of vibrational energy associated with
strings very close to the electron does explain the cloudy nature around the electron. The density of the cloud
varies from point to point very close to the electron and this cloud moves with the electron. A careful measure-
ment shows that the intensity of the electric field is slightly altered because of the shielding effect of clouds. In
fact, the distribution of charge of the electron can be written as
α observed
= α naked + α cloud (1)
where αobserved is the charge of the electron that is observed (1.6 × 10–19 Coulombs); αnaked is the true charge
which is not measured and αcloud is the charge distribution around the central part. According to the quantum
mechanical model, at the central part of the electron the cloud density is maximum, while it reduces considera-
bly outside.
This origin for the presence of clouds near the electron has never been examined critically. However, in the
frame work of quantum field theory, it is explained on the basis of ultra-violet divergence of fields by using re-
normalization process. According to it, the contribution in the divergent integrals associated with the correction

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term to the mass or charge of the particle. However, the most important aspect namely the origin for αcloud, the
correction term to the cloud of electron, is not addressed in QFT [2]. It is worth mentioning that the point of
view expressed above indicates that the origin for clouds lies in the vibrational energy very close to the electron
absorbed by the mechanism mentioned earlier [5].
Recently, several fundamental aspects of electromagnetic fields such as Maxwell’s equations [10], Lorentz
force [11] electrostatic attraction or repulsion [4] etc. have been re-examined on the basis of strings as a compact
incompressible liquid. According to the string theory the space is filled with small vibrating units of the order of
Planck’s length (10−33 cm). Several interesting aspects of the electric and magnetic fields are explained with
branes, which are a physical entity that generalizes a point particle to higher dimensions. D1 brane is like a string,
it vibrates and it also has quantum fluctuations. Several properties related with elementary particles have been
explained with the extra dimensions of branes. According to the string theory, the D-brane plays a crucial role. It
is assumed that it carries the electric or magnetic field and open strings couple to the electromagnetic field at
their end points. Maxwell fields are associated with the attachment of the open string and D-brane (in an extra
dimension). Even though a considerable work has been reported in this direction, a totally different approach is
taken in the present work. It is worth mentioning that in this discussion only the presence of strings in the va-
cuum is taken into account as vibrating units and no other aspects of the string theory such as the presence of
branes of any dimension (D0 (point), D1 (line), D2 (surface) and so on) are considered. Quantum harmonic oscil-
lators (or vibrating units) in space permit us to consider conversion of energy into kinetic, potential and also in
storage form. The direct consequence of it is that the space becomes an excitable medium through which the
energy in some form can be transported (not by flow, motion or stream of any kind) by a non-conventional me-
chanism like propagation of induced “self-excited vibrations” in strings.
The other significant aspect of string theory is that particles are not point like. Instead they are vibrational
modes. This means that elementary particles are formed from a specific arrangement of vibrating strings and
therefore all particles have vibrating nature with specific frequency. In addition to this, the electron has a rota-
tional motion (or spin). By considering the vibrational and rotational motions of electron, several properties of
electromagnetism have been coherently explained earlier just by taking into account strings in a compact form
of dry liquid [3]-[5] [10] [11]. However, it differs from the conventional liquid as every element of it (vibrating
string) has significant amount of energy in a storage form which is convertible into kinetic and potential energy.
As mentioned earlier because of the feedback mechanism based on Van der Pol equation, the energy is con-
served due to self-sustained vibrations. This includes the conservation of the charge and mass (both structural
and electromagnetic) of the electron and details have been discussed extensively earlier by Joshi [3].

2. Self-Excited Vibrations and Propagation

In fact, as mentioned earlier, the electron does not emit energy or field. The vibrations associated with electrons
induce excitations in vibrating strings with which the space is filled. A self-excitation process [12]-[14] of vibra-
tional energy advances in 3-D space and gives the impression that the electron or charge particle is emitting con-
tinuously energy or electric field in the space.
Self- excited systems begin to vibrate with their own accord under special conditions [12]. The energy re-
quired for these vibrations is obtained from a uniform source associated with the system itself (in the present
case, vibrational energy of strings) and there is some inherent mechanism which supplies energy to start and
maintain harmonic oscillations with certain frequency. If the system is disturbed for any reason the forces are
created and they may lead the system away from the equilibrium position and then it will start oscillations pro-
vided that the conditions are suitable. When the cause for self-oscillations stops, the forces related with it disap-
pear.
It is known from string theory that strings behave like quantum harmonic oscillators with quantum fluctua-
tions (zero point energy) [15] and form a self-excitable system. The self-excitation process can be originated
from several mechanisms but the most obvious in the present system is due to “Stick slip” process according to
which one surface slides on another with dry friction [13]. This process is also known as friction induced
self-excited vibration. Earlier investigation reveals that this is more probable when vibrating elements are very
small as it is the present case. Favorable conditions for this type of excitation are that the surface should be in
close contact for some time and then move with a low velocity. These conditions are completely fulfilled in
strings as a compact form of liquid. Self-excitation can also take place due to flow induce vibrations in a com-

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 N. V. Joshi

pact liquid of strings [12] [13]. Both processes are obvious and effective which help the vibrations of electrons
to excite and organize scheme of strings.
Now, let us imagine a vibrating electron (or charge particle) in three dimensional space which will induce
self-activated vibrational energy in the nearest region. According to the symmetry, the nearest region will acti-
vate vibrations in strings which lie in the next circle and so on. After time t, the strings in radius ct will have vi-
bration energy due to the self-activation process. However, it is worth to mention that the amplitude of vibra-
tions (or the intensity) will go on reducing from one stage to another as the number of participating layers of
strings increases [3]. Thus, the electron or the charge particle does not emit energy in any form but the vibrations
associated to it induce self-activated vibrations in the surrounding system which in turn propagates in three di-
mensional space. This means that the field energy is directly associated with the vibrational energy.

3. Interaction of the Electric Field with Vibrating Systems

To appreciate the nature of the electric field and its association with vibrations, it is necessary to examine the
interaction of the electric field with vibrating systems as it is difficult to estimate or evaluate the properties di-
rectly because of unknown parameters of strings related with vibrations and quantum harmonic oscillators.
According to the string theory also, some of the properties of strings are associated with quantum harmonic
oscillators [15]. Because of their compact nature, it can be assumed that they form a system of strongly coupled
harmonic oscillators.
Morse potential is an interatomic interaction model between two atoms or molecules. It is better approximated
to the potential associated with the vibrational nature of the system [13] [14]. Obviously, it interacts strongly
with other vibrating systems like the electric field. An important characteristic feature of strong coupling inte-
raction is the splitting of the energy levels and it is frequently associated with the perturbation in Morse potential,
as in strong coupling the potential energy interacts with each other. The effects of the external electric field on
Morse potential have been investigated earlier [13] [14] and an analytical formulation had been developed which
explains successfully the frequency and the bond length dependence for diatomic molecules.
Delly [14] added an extra term in Morse potential
V ( r ) = De (1 − η ) + f ( E ) ⋅ r
2
(2)

η = e− a ( r − ro )
where f(E) is the perturbation induced by the applied electric field. Here r is the distance between two nucleus of
interest and ro is the equilibrium distance. Obviously “a” has dimensions of (length)−1. De is the energy asso-
ciated with the dissociation of the bond length. Taking into account the additional term, the frequency and the
bond length have been examined for some molecules like Nacl, H2O and experimental data are in agreement
with the calculated values. The addition of the term f(E)∙r in the potential of the harmonic oscillator also implies
that the energy associated with the electric field is related with the vibrational energy. This approach has been
further extended by Hashjin and Mott [13].
The detailed calculations of energy splitting have been carried out earlier by Novotny [16] by considering the
equation of motion for a coupled system in which the constant of coupling can be varied and its effect on energy
splitting is clearly determined experimentally. In the adiabatic limit, it is possible to transfer energy from one
oscillator to the other through resonance [14] [16]. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the effect of the electric
field on oscillating systems such as coupled quantum dots or a system of atoms and molecules in the external
electric field. This means Stark effect.

4. Vibrational Stark Effect (VSE)

It is known that an electric field, internal or externally applied, perturbs molecular vibrations considerably. The
changes induced by the applied electric field are measured by VSE, thus it provides a direct mapping between
vibrational modes and electric field.
One of the few experimental evidences where the electric field is directly related with the vibrational energy
of the system at atomic or molecular level is Stark effect; which shows the shifting and splitting of energy states
due to the presence of the external electric field. VSE provides a direct relation between the observed variation
in the vibrational modes and the applied electric field. Recently, it has been suggested that the external electric

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N. V. Joshi

field alters the potential energy of the surface perturbing the Morse potential of the molecule. This causes the
change in the bond length and hence changes in the frequency. The field induced changes in the frequency and
the force constant are given by [13].
dν= ν E −ν 0 (3)
= k E − k0
dk (4)
where the subscript E shows the value perturbed by steady state electric field and subscript o denotes a free field
value.
A detailed calculation has been carried out for the applied electric field and the field induced frequency is
given [13]
VE = Kν 0 (5)
where K is a constant and whose value depends upon the magnitude and direction of the applied electric field.
The obtained results are compared with the calculated values for several molecules like H2, N2, O2 and F2 (ho-
mo-nuclear ) and HF, HCl, CO (hetero-nuclear) and they are in agreement .The details are given by Hashjin and
Matt [13]. It is worth to point out that the theory is tested for strongly covalent bonds which are described by
harmonic oscillators and whose energy states lie at the bottom of the Morse potential well.
The additional effect is also observed by X-ray diffraction technique where the electric field induces the
changes in the bond length or inter- atomic distances [17]. The above studies reveal that electric field, which is
associated with vibrational motion, interacts with the oscillating system of the atoms and molecules. The above
mentioned experimental techniques strongly support the vibrational nature of the electric field. This might help
to understand the conversion of field into particles (photons) or vice versa as the energy of both depends upon
the frequency. This is mathematically explained with the help of the creation and annihilation operatorsin QFT.
The electron and its associated field have vibrational nature. Therefore, it is interesting to examine other ele-
mentary particles and the nature of the corresponding fields. In a compact liquid, as considered in the present
case, the mechanism associated with Van der Pol equation is not valid. However, a liquid in a confined region
like the nucleus has several particles and their interacting fields which give rise to the damping coefficient and
increase the magnitude of the constant of string µ. Van der Pol equation, therefore, might play a crucial role in
the system which is given by [3]
d2 x
dt 2 (
+ ζ 1 − x2)dx
dt
+ µx = 0 (6)

Here ζ is a damping coefficient. Recently this equation has been solved by the algebraic method and it is
found that constants ζ and µ play a very crucial role. The solution of the above equation is given [18]
=x e −ζ t b sin (ωt + φ )  (7)

where b and φ are constants which depend upon the initial conditions. A detailed analysis reveals that the fre-
quency mainly depends upon the value of µ meanwhile ζ determines the exponential fall. The value of µ is re-
lated with the potential energy of the oscillator which becomes considerably high in the presence of particles and
their interactions. Naturally fields have high frequency. Obviously, for higher values of ζ (damping coefficient),
the forces have very short range. A further systematic investigation with this approach might provide informa-
tion about the range of the force and their interactions. If so, the presence of vibrating strings in the form of a
compact liquid might be a step ahead in the unification process.

5. Conclusion
The nature, origin and details of the propagation of the electric field on the basis of self-excitation process are
discussed. Contrary to the accepted theories, it is found that the electron induced vibrational energy by self-ex-
citation mechanism. The excitation process continues in space and the vibrational energy in the form of electric
field spreads. Unexplained properties like electron cloud and Poincare stress become the natural consequences
of the proposed theory. The electric field is examined with the help of VSE and X ray diffraction approaches. It
is worth mentioning that several electromagnetic properties have been explained in a consistent manner by as-
suming only the presence of vibrating strings in the space.

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 N. V. Joshi

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