Physical Consequences of the Interpretation of the Skew Part of $g_{\mu\nu}$ in Einstein's Nonsymmetric Unified Field Theory

TL;DR

This paper examines the interpretation of the skew part of the fundamental tensor in Einstein's Nonsymmetric Unified Field Theory, showing that previous conclusions about its physical viability were based on an inconclusive analysis influenced by gauge choices.

Contribution

It challenges the traditional view that Einstein's Unified Field Theory is unphysical by analyzing the electromagnetic interaction implications of different tensor identifications.

Findings

Electromagnetic interaction is precluded under the conventional tensor identification.

An alternative tensor identification could lead to expected electromagnetic interactions.

The EIH analysis of EUFT is inconclusive due to gauge effects.

Abstract

The electromagnetic interaction in the Einstein-Infeld-Hoffmann (EIH) equations of motion for charged particles in Einstein's Unified Field Theory is found to be {\em automatically\/} precluded by the conventional identification of the skew part of the fundamental tensor with the Faraday tensor. It is shown that an alternative identification, suggested by observations of Einstein, Bergmann and Papapetrou, would lead to the expected electromagnetic interaction, were it not for the intervention of an infelicitous (radiation) gauge. Therefore, an EIH analysis of EUFT is {\em inconclusive\/} as a test of the physical viability of the theory, and it follows that EUFT cannot be considered necessarily unphysical on the basis of such an analysis. Thus, historically, Einstein's Unified Field Theory was rejected for the wrong reason.