Not driven by observations, this paper digs into the “internal workings” of spacetime. Through logical deductions, micro dimensions appear to be uncovered, with possible SU(4) or SU(5): 1. It is thought that special relativity merely initiated the definition of spacetime, but more scales are yet to be defined. 2. In the definition of spacetime, EM (electromagnetism) played another critical role, i.e., the six circular magnetic and electric field lines (running on the six planes) cross and “define equivalencies” between the four linear scales. Without this definition, light would not be measured at the same speed in different directions. Being a gauge theory, EM defines two things: Linear scales and “equivalencies” between linear scales. 3. For any scale (and their equivalencies), there could be no or many arbitrarily assumed definitions, or a concrete definition based on relevant physics. Nature would conform with but the one based on relevant physics, because Nature itself is consisted of that relevant physics. Thus, the principle: No scale and their equivalencies are meaningful unless defined by relevant physics. 4. Then, what are those fields running (and defining equivalencies between the six “angle scales”) on the six planes of the 4D spacetime? It is believed to be the “classical” weak fields which run in solid angles (or “3D angles”) between the six planes. (The only suspicion is that this rotation does not preserve vector length, which is not a problem ultimately.) 5. If the six angle scales are drawn as six axes of a 6D superspace, then the “3D angle” rotations look like “plane angle” rotations and cause SO(6)∼SU(4) [or SO(10)∼SU(5) for 5D spacetime], which appears to match baryon spectrum without quarks. 6. Since this rotation is between “planes” of the “external” spacetime, no linear dimension is visible, yet causing P-violations. 7. Similarly, fields running in 4D and 5D angle rotations (between 3D and 4D surfaces) must also exist, which may be responsible for CP-violation and strong interactions. 8. The 5D angle rotations may be generating Baryon and Lepton numbers and hence explaining their conservation behaviors, e.g., no proton decay. 9. It can be inferred, if 3D, 4D (and 5D) angle rotation fields did not exist, the 4D (and 5D) spacetime would be warped and the four (or five) linear axes would not be perpendicular to each other. 10. EM was simplified and turned elegant “only” after redefinition of spacetime by special relativity. Likewise, weak, CP-violation and strong interactions are expected to simplify and turn as elegant as EM when 2D (plane), 3D, and 4D angle scales are defined by weak, CP-violation, and strong forces, respectively. 11. Verifications as accurate as EM are expected too. 12. Mathematically, higher angle rotations thought to be inexistent only because it does not conserve vector length. Actually, they did not vanish and their symmetries would surface in particle classifications when linear momentum is not concerned. Micro dimensions being invisible is because symmetries do not have to happen between linear axes, but can happen between 2-, 3- or 4-surfaces. These geometries together generate the complete particles spectrum.

The second Law of Thermodynamics is fundamental in the analysis of thermodynamic cycles. It dictates that the conversion of heat to work is limited. It reaches an upper limit in a classical thermodynamic cycle, and such a limit is provided by the Carnot cycle, which is the most efficient. Motivated by a recent allowance of a patent to this author (U.S. Patent 10,079,075), the present study tutorially attempts to expand on the subject and shows that the efficiency can go above the Carnot efficiency, provided a novel cycle is used, and heat, rather than being discarded, is recirculated in the same engine used to generate work. The significant energy saving consequential to this finding and climate change mitigation are reported.

This short paper argues that energy, the potential to realize change, taking place through interaction, is the essence of everything. Nonduality and emergence play a key role in explaining why energy should be conceived as the single source of everything. The very nature of space and time also follows from it. The whole universe is just energy, and everything emerges from this energy. So the essence of everything is energy.

Is the special theory of relativity (STR) a “simple” or “tricky” theory? They who think that it is a simple theory say (i) that its postulates are simple, that Nature is such, (ii) that the mathematics of STR is perfect, and (iii) that experiments support it. I consider its two postulates to be very true, whereas the mathematics of the STR has a shortcoming, and, as for the experiments, the question must be posed: which theory do they support best? The problem for STR lies in the transition from its postulates to its basic equations, i.e., Lorentz transformation and the velocity addition formula. The passage from the principle of relativity and the constancy of the speed of light to the basic equations of the STR is affected by four fundamental errors—three physical and one mathematical. Continuous attempts to reconcile these latent mistakes have made STR increasingly tricky. As a result, it is in a similar situation to Ptolemy's geocentric model after “improvements” thereto by Tycho Brahe. However, the “Copernican solution” for relative motion—offered by extended Galilean relativity—is very simple and effective.

Existing theories cannot reasonably explain some astronomical phenomena now observed. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the possible limitations of existing theories. First, eight important defects of the existing theories are analyzed in this paper. These eight important defects prove that there are serious errors in the space-time view of the existing macro-physical theories, and it is necessary to rethink the space-time relationship. Then the philosophical basis of reference system is discussed, and a new reference system is constructed. Then, based on the new reference system and the space-time relationship, the approximation limit of time and space at infinite distance from the source of gravitational field is reconstructed, and the relationship between gravitational field and space-time is reconstructed according to this limit. Then the relationships between the new theory and the existing theories are discussed, and the conclusions are consistent with the limitations of the existing theories discussed above. Finally, the new theory is used to explain the above phenomena which cannot be explained by the existing theories.

A thorough investigation of the Planck's black-body radiation reveals several potential flaws. It is found that Planck's final formula suffers from a serious dimensional discrepancy. While it relates to the spectral energy density of the black body radiation, the measured experimental data correspond to the spectral power density. It is shown that Planck's final formula is better written, <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mi>P</mml:mi> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo> <mml:mi>b</mml:mi> <mml:mi>ν</mml:mi> </mml:math> where <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mi>P</mml:mi> </mml:math> is power with units <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mfenced open="[" close="]" separators="|"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>J</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>/</mml:mo> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> </mml:mrow> </mml:mrow> </mml:mfenced> <mml:mo>,</mml:mo> <mml:mo> </mml:mo> <mml:mi>b</mml:mi> </mml:math> is the quantum of energy with units <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mfenced open="[" close="]" separators="|"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>J</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> </mml:mfenced> </mml:math> (numerically equals to Planck's constant, <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mi>h</mml:mi> </mml:math> ), and <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mi>ν</mml:mi> </mml:math> is the frequency of the quantum oscillator with units <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mfenced open="[" close="]" separators="|"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>/</mml:mo> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> </mml:mrow> </mml:mrow> </mml:mfenced> </mml:math> . It is shown that a simple modification in the Planck's black-body radiation formula brought about by replacing “ <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mi>h</mml:mi> </mml:math> ” by “ <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mi>b</mml:mi> </mml:math> ” in it could make it absolutely free from any flaws and discrepancies.

A set of natural units is determined from the “photon element” model of light, the outcome of an extended Compton analysis. In terms of these units, the speed of light and the electrical and Boltzmann constants are, respectively, on the order of unity, but the Planck constant is ∼1027 or greater and gravitational constant ∼10−59 or greater. This makes the photon element units less convenient than the Planck units. With the mass unit that is only ∼10−43 of the Planck mass, however, the photon element units can correspond better to physical realities than the Planck units. For the spacetime, a photon element forms a set of unit base vectors, a natural basis that is Lorentz covariant. There an analysis shows that (1) of the above five universal constants all are Lorentz invariants except the gravitational constant, and (2) of the five natural units (time, length, mass, electrical charge, and temperature,) only the electrical charge is a Lorentz invariant.

Following up previous discussions, suggestions, and insights about negative mass by other authors, this article further elaborates on systems of combined mass and negative mass. These configurations can be massless and stationary. The external physical effects of such systems are analyzed in detail. Some surprising results arise within the frameworks of Newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism.

The theory of special and general relativity causes a “schizophrenic” dilemma in physics. It undeniably provides mathematically correct values, but it is undeniably epistemologically wrong in many respects. Including the relativistic explanation of the gravitational “time dilation” and the curvature of light beams at the surfaces of large masses, the author demonstrates the illogical character of relativistic physics. When one thinks the relativistic explanations of gravitational time dilatation and of the curvature of light rays by masses through to the end, they lead to absurd and contradictory logical conclusions.

Recent evidence suggests that the structure and dynamics of planetary scale matter can be described using the wave equation in the form of the Schrödinger equation; thus, suggesting an underlining symmetry across all scales of the universe. Emerging evidences also demonstrate that the complex social-behavior dynamics of animals and other forms of active matter mimic the dynamics of magnetic systems, and are accurately modeled using the framework of quantum theory. However, theoretical frameworks across the different scales of the universe are incompatible, and quantum theory is primarily restricted to the subatomic/atomic scale. This work proposes that the philosophical assumptions concerning the concept time in current theoretical frameworks, as constituting the major barrier in extending quantum theory to all scales of the universe. Time is presumed to be a dimension, in which dynamics occur, with the time dimension interpreted as asymmetric. This interpretation of the concept time contrasts with physics equations, which are time symmetric; and with emerging evidences from neuroscience, which demonstrate that the so-called time dimension along with space dimensions are cognitive constructs. This work proposes a novel theoretical framework, in which the concept time is redefined as a measure of the magnitude of change in location within a nondiscrete compressible fluid universe, which is an enclosed structure. Time and distance are equivalent, as both measure the magnitude of change in location. Matter and vacuum, along with all other constituents of the universe are redefined as demarcated structures, which are manifestations of differential specific energy densities, resulting from compressions and rarefactions. Demarcation of structures denotes a quantum interaction, and the framework of Wheeler‐Feynman transactional theory governs analysis of the dynamics of said demarcated structures. Consequently, the nature and dynamics of demarcated structures at all scales is an emergent equilibrium state of the universe resulting from transactional quantum interactions, which are analyzed using a novel theoretical framework, termed, Quantum-Equilibrium Theory. Per the predictions of Quantum-Equilibrium Theory, this work demonstrates reflection symmetry between the magnetic field and gravitational field, thus unifying the magnetic force and the gravitational force. This work also demonstrates scale symmetry across atomic and galactic structures within the universe. Furthermore, this work demonstrates a continuous translational symmetry between the dynamics of nonactive matter and active matter.