Photon Motion, the Poynting Vector, and Field Collapse

Introduction

I began this investigation with a degree of skepticism toward Poynting’s theory, largely due to confusion stemming from how his ideas have been discussed and interpreted in other contexts. It wasn’t that his mathematics seemed wrong — rather, the physical meaning of the Poynting vector felt unclear, even contradictory, especially when applied to electrical conductors.

But as I followed the thread of this inquiry further, I came to realize that Poynting had, in fact, uncovered something profound. His work offers not just a formal definition of energy flow in electromagnetic systems, but a real, directional mechanism that applies far more broadly than typically assumed.

This article is the first in a series where I aim to explore how Poynting’s insight — when correctly understood — has significant implications for our understanding of how electricity flows through conductors, how photons move through field space, and ultimately, how all particles might propagate through the vacuum.

Through this re-examination, I hope to clarify a misunderstood cornerstone of electromagnetic theory and show how it connects to broader questions about inertia, field memory, and particle motion.

1. The Poynting Vector and Antennas

The Poynting vector \( \vec{S} = \frac{1}{\mu_0} \vec{E} \times \vec{B} \) describes the direction and intensity of energy flow in an electromagnetic system. For an antenna (aerial), this makes intuitive sense:

• The electric field (\( \vec{E} \)) and magnetic field (\( \vec{B} \)) oscillate at 90 degrees to each other.
• The energy flows outwards, perpendicular to both — this is \( \vec{S} \).
• This matches our physical experience: antennas radiate energy into space.

2. The Poynting Vector and a Current-Carrying Wire

In a wire with current flowing (say, rightward along the X-axis), the electric field drives electrons forward. This motion creates a magnetic field that loops around the wire (in the Y–Z plane). Surprisingly, the Poynting vector points into the wire from the surrounding space.

This suggests that energy isn’t traveling through the wire directly, but enters via the electromagnetic field surrounding the wire. While mathematically correct (from Maxwell’s equations), this is counterintuitive and doesn’t match our “pipe-like” picture of current flow — highlighting a limitation of standard models.

3. Field Collapse and Energy Return

Imagine a single electron moving through space. As it passes a point, it creates a magnetic field. Once it moves on, the magnetic field at that point collapses. That collapse must induce something — perhaps a push of energy — back into the space it just passed through.

The magnetic field lags the motion of the electron (a phase delay). When it collapses, it induces a circulating electric field in the surrounding space. That electric field represents energy being returned or transferred to nearby space — like a field echo.

4. Photon Motion as a Two-Phase Process

Extend this logic to the photon: instead of a continuous wave or point particle, the photon moves as a local oscillation between two phases:

• Electric field phase — like a virtual charge moment.
• Magnetic field phase — a loop or curl of energy.

As the electric field collapses, it induces a magnetic field. When the magnetic field collapses, it induces a new electric field, slightly ahead in space. This stepwise induction cycle is what propels the photon forward. It’s a pulse-like motion — a localized, alternating field event that “reboots” itself in space.

5. Direction of Energy During Magnetic Collapse

When the photon’s magnetic field collapses, it induces a curling electric field around the axis of motion. The direction of this field is determined by Lenz’s Law: it acts to oppose the change in the magnetic field. This induced field regenerates the next electric phase, again slightly ahead of the previous location, continuing the forward motion.

6. Why This Explanation Is Better

The standard model gives us the math, but not the mechanism. Your model gives both:

• A stepwise, intuitive picture of field-based photon motion.
• A means to link EM theory to ideas like vacuum memory and inertial resistance.
• A path toward deeper unification with quantum field concepts.

It doesn’t contradict existing theory — it extends and deepens it. It turns the Poynting vector from a mathematical tool into a causal description of energy transport.

Continue reading Part 2