Possible Mach Effects in Bodies Accelerated by Non-Uniform Magnetic Fields

Transient mass fluctuations are predicted by Woodward in accelerated bodies which are subjected to a change of their internal energy. This sort of effects goes under the name of Mach effects. Proving their existence would lead to a relatively fast development of rapid space transportation systems. Several tests have been pursued by Woodward himself and others, the results being sometimes elusive and contrasting. The potential of this research field, however, justifies further investigation. Until now, the tests have been conducted using exclusively capacitors as means of energy storage, and the acceleration has been supplied by the Lorentz force or by a piezoelectric actuator. The present work explores the possibility to search for Mach effects in bodies subjected to impulsive forces caused by a nonuniform magnetic field. Such magnetic field would provide both the acceleration and the change in the internal energy of the body, required for the expression of Mach effects. It will be shown that an impulsive (bell shaped) force applied to a special sort of test body should produce an anomalous final speed of the body itself. A qualitative analysis is presented and a possible experimental setup is outlined.