Inertia from an Asymmetric Casimir Effect

Arxiv – Inertia from an Asymmetric Casimir Effect.

The property of inertia has never been fully explained. A model for inertia (MiHsC or quantised inertia) has been suggested that assumes that 1) inertia is due to Unruh radiation and 2) this radiation is subject to a Hubble-scale Casimir effect. This model has no adjustable parameters and predicts the cosmic acceleration, and galaxy rotation without dark matter, suggesting that Unruh radiation indeed causes inertia, but the exact mechanism by which it does this has not been specified. The mechanism suggested here is that when an object accelerates, for example to the right, a dynamical (Rindler) event horizon forms to its left, reducing the Unruh radiation on that side by a Rindler-scale Casimir effect whereas the radiation on the other side is only slightly reduced by a Hubble-scale Casimir effect. This produces an imbalance in the radiation pressure on the object, and a net force that always opposes acceleration, like inertia. A formula for inertia is derived, and an experimental test is suggested.

A new model for inertia (MiHsC or quantised inertia) has been suggested that assumes that 1) inertia is due to Unruh radiation and 2) this radiation is subject to a Hubble-scale Casimir effect. Here, for the first time, a mechanistic model for MiHsC, and inertia, is suggested.

The model assumes that when an object accelerates in one direction, a dynamical Rindler event horizon forms in the opposite direction, producing a Casimir effect, that reduces the Unruh radiation there. As a result, the Unruh radiation pressure on the object is greater from the direction of acceleration, producing a net force that always opposes acceleration, just like inertia.

This model for inertia suggests that if some way could be found to damp the Unruh waves on one side of an object, or create an artificial event horizon on that side (perhaps using metamaterials), the object could then be accelerated in a new way.

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