The Dewey B. Larson Memorial Research Center
(LRC)
The full name of the Larson Research Center (LRC) is the Dewey B. Larson Memorial Research Center. It was established as an institute of studies in theoretical physics, based on Mr. Larson’s new system of physical theory, called the Reciprocal System of Physical Theory (RST). However, the LRC’s development of physical theory is unique. While it is based on Larson’s new system, the RST, it differs from Larson’s own development of theory, under his new system. In other words, it is the LRC’s separate RST-based theory, or RSt (with the lowercase t.)
New System, New Assumption
The physicists and mathematicians of the LRC investigate the consequences of the assumption that the universe is not a container of matter, framed by 3D space, evolving over time, as is necessary in the theory of quantum mechanics, nor that it consists of a 4D spacetime continuum, interacting with matter, as posited in the theory of general relativity. The new assumption is that everything, including matter, energy, and even space/time itself, consists of nothing but discrete units of a newly identified motion, called scalar motion.
With its two, reciprocal, aspects, of space and time, related in the familiar equation of motion, v = ds/dt, discrete units of this motion, and combinations of these units, exist in the form of photons of varying frequency, which propagate outward from matter, as radiation, and in the form of subatomic and atomic entities of matter, and antimatter, with different spin, charge and magnetic properties, which gravitate as entities of matter, but are convertible into energy, according to the established principles of symmetry and laws of conservation.
New Definition of Motion
However, unlike in the case of the familiar motion of everyday objects, or vectorial motion, in this case the discrete units of scalar motion, defined without objects, do not require a change in the location of an object, defining motion as distance over time, but, rather, it is assumed that the space aspect of this motion increases naturally, inexorably, just as its time aspect does. It assumes that a continuous “march” of space exists, measurable by a space clock, which, in conjunction with the continuous “march” of time, measurable by a time clock, defines a universal motion, or space|time progression. The continuous ticking of these two clocks constitutes the initial condition of the theoretical universe of motion.
New Physical Concept of Scalar versus Vector Magnitudes
What this means is that the new system is a system of scalar magnitudes, not a system of vector magnitudes. In physics, vectors are directed magnitudes, while scalars are not directed magnitudes; that is, scalar magnitudes do not have a single direction that can be defined in terms of three dimensions in a fixed reference system. Consequently, in a three-dimensional physical system, scalar magnitudes of motion are magnitudes of motion in all three dimensions simultaneously, or magnitudes of volume only, in a 3D, fixed, coordinate system.
Since the entire field of theoretical physics has only dealt with vector magnitudes of motion, from Newton’s day to this, a change in the system of physical theory from a vector-based system, to a scalar-based system, constitutes a significant new direction in the traditional program of theoretical research, originally established by Sir Isaac Newton. To make this important distinction, in the work of the LRC, we refer to the vector-based system, as the “legacy system of physical theory,” or LST.
New Mathematical Concept of Scalar Numbers
In mathematics, there are exactly four normed division algebras: the real numbers (ℝ), complex numbers (ℂ), quaternions (ℍ), and octonions (O), corresponding to the four elements of geometry, point, line, area, and volume, as the dimension, n, of the numbers in these four number systems is increased from 0 to 3. Unfortunately, the algebras of these systems lose their ordered, commutative and associative properties, one by one, as n increases, until, for n=3, none of these algebraic properties remain.
However, we suspect that the reason for this is the use of the ad hoc invention of imaginary numbers in the definitions of these four number systems. Imaginary number-based numbers, like vector magnitudes, have direction, but scalar numbers, like scalar magnitudes, do not have direction. They have “direction” instead, simply defined in terms of less than and greater than unit ratio. Consequently, the physics of scalar motion cannot use the multi-dimensional mathematics of vectors and spinors, but must use the multi-dimensional mathematics of scalars, a new concept in mathematics.
Since the entire field of algebra and geometry has only dealt with imaginary number-based systems from Hamilton’s day to this, a change in the number systems of modern mathematics, from multi-dimensional, imaginary-number, based systems, to multi-dimensional, scalar-number, based systems, constitutes a significant new direction relative to the traditional program of mathematics research, originally established by Hamilton, Heaviside, Gibbs, and others. To make this important distinction, in the work of the LRC, we refer to the multi-dimensional, imaginary-number, based system, as the “legacy system of mathematics,” or LSM.
New Program of Scientific Research and Education
It is the mission of the LRC to establish a scientific program of research and an educational program of scientific and public outreach that addresses the current crisis in fundamental physics. We seek to promote understanding of the issues by promoting and sponsoring innovative research and educational activities within both the LRC and the community.
The Official LRC Website
This is the official website of the LRC and it contains several types of online information, including three blogs, two, threaded, discussion forums, and the LRC Wiki. The purpose of the LRC Wiki is to facilitate the visitors’ understanding of the new system, and the research and outreach activities of the LRC, by organizing the center’s information around two central elements: the organizational structure of the LRC and the logical structure of the universe of motion. Please see the LRC Wiki Main page for more information.
The three LRC blogs are:
1) The Trouble With Physics
2) The New Physics
3) The New Mathematics
In blog number 1), the fundamental crisis in the theoretical physics of the LST community is discussed. The name comes from the title of Lee Smolin’s controversial book, in which he describes the crisis and focuses on the impact that string theory is having on the crisis.
In blog number 2), the new physics, based on the new system of scalar physics, is discussed, as contained in the written works of Larson, and in the ongoing work of the LRC, in its three areas of research. However, due to the fundamental nature of the microcosmic area of research, and the dependence of the other areas on its progress, the focus will be primarily on this area, at least initially.
In blog number 3), the new mathematics, based on the new scalar system of mathematics, is discussed. Called the Reciprocal System of Mathematics (RSM), the new scalar system sheds light on modern applications of abstract algebra and group theory, in the development of theoretical physics, by exploiting a new concept of operationally interpreted reciprocal numbers.
The two, threaded, LRC discussion forums, General Discussion and LRC Discussion, are two initial forums for discussion of theoretical and LRC issues respectively. Other discussion forums, specific to the elements of the new theoretical structure, are accessible through the LRC Wiki.
The LRC is a non-profit, tax-exempt, corporation located near Salt Lake City, Utah. This website is a work in progress, and therefore it is preliminary and still incomplete in many respects, as of October, 2008.