A unified theory that is applicable under all conditions to matter (material objects), in all its forms, is a longstanding desire of physicists. This desire clearly indicates that all is not well with current physical theories. Hence, the search for a new theory. However, contemporary science has advanced too far on the basis of irrational assumptions, illogical interactions, and imaginary particles. Even a very small correction, attempted in its fundamental area, is bound to topple the cart of science. Therefore, very few people dare to suggest such changes. All current searches are, in some way or another, based on or a continuation of contemporary theories. Searches based on these 'not very logical theories' cannot, naturally, yield a better theory. To find a better theory, we need to search outside the orthodox realm of physics. Anyone who dares to move outside the limits of orthodox physics in search of a better concept is immediately branded as a heretic and is isolated from mainstream physics. Their work is not considered worthwhile. This tendency, on the part of the establishment, is the main hindrance to a unified theory.

I wish to present a radically different approach, based on an alternative concept, in the hope that at least a few scientists may read and evaluate it with an unbiased mind. This concept explains all physical phenomena related to matter by using the same principles, under the same basic laws, and under all conditions. The concept, given in the book 'MATTER (Re-examined)', provides a simple and logical explanation for all physical phenomena related to matter. This book includes explanations of many of the unexplained or wrongly explained phenomena. A logical system has some elementary postulations and assumptions on which its reasoning is based. The whole of this concept is developed from a single assumption that the 'substance is fundamental and matter alone provides substance to all real entities' and on only one type of postulated particles— the 'quanta of matter'—with a definite property, derived from the above-given assumption. 'Existence of matter' is closest to absolute truth in the material world. Quanta of matter are the only unstructured matter particles in nature. Quanta of matter fill the entire space outside basic three-dimensional matter particles. No other assumed effects or virtual particles are needed to explain any physical phenomenon of material bodies or their apparent interactions. Three-dimensional material bodies are inert, and they cannot act or interact through empty space. Therefore, there is a real entity interlinking all 3D matter-particles in space, making it possible for their interaction through it, a universal medium. Both 3D material bodies and the structured universal medium are made of quanta of matter. All 'natural forces' are different manifestations of the same basic effort. Since 3D matter is inert, basic effort is a product of the universal medium. Efforts (forces) and their interactions are nothing but simple mechanical movements of quanta of matter in a structured universal medium.

The aim of this book is to convey an alternative concept, which, after further development, may lead towards a unified theory of basic physical laws. This concept is not based on or developed as a continuation of any of the contemporary theories. Its development has resulted in many conclusions, which are logical and simple but are contrary to current beliefs. These may, at first sight, appear bizarre or unorthodox. The reader is forewarned not to be discouraged by such conclusions. By following the chain of reasoning followed in the book, you will shortly find them more logical, simple, and better suited for all physical phenomena in general. Readers are humbly requested to read through the whole text, sequentially at least once, without paying attention to conclusions or trying to compare this concept with existing theories. Once you are acquainted with the chain of reasoning, you may evaluate and compare the conclusions of this book with any other theory.

Any part of this concept, taken in isolation without having a general idea of the concept, may not make much sense. Since this concept is based on the properties and behaviour of unstructured matter, it is necessary to understand the 'quantum of matter' (given in chapter TWO) before attempting to read the explanations on other physical phenomena of matter. The most essential requirements for readers to follow through this text are patience and an open mind. I beg pardon of the esteemed reader in advance for not adhering to well-established theories by great scientists.
Few controversial conclusions are listed below:
1.    Matter is the sole real entity in nature. It provides substance for objective reality and positive existence to all physical entities, including a materialistic universal medium.
2.    Matter, in its unstructured state, has a tendency to reduce its existence to minimum spatial dimensions. Because of this, a block of unstructured matter fragments into minute matter particles (quanta of matter), which strive to remain in a single spatial dimension.
3.    Quanta of matter form two-dimensional latticework structures in all possible planes, which together form a universal medium. It fills the entire space outside basic three-dimensional matter-particles and is in direct contact with all basic 3D matter-particles in nature. There are no actions at a distance through empty space.
4.    Universal medium is made of quanta of matter, and its matter density equals that of basic three-dimensional matter particles, yet it is as flexible as an ideal fluid. Together with the basic three-dimensional matter-particles, the universal medium forms a single block of matter (without voids) that fills the entire space. The universal medium provides an absolute reference in space.
5.    Universal medium is a self-stabilising entity that causes and conducts all actions (apparent interactions between objects), including creation, development, sustenance, and destruction of all three-dimensional objects/bodies. It is simultaneously particulate & continuous, isotropic & anisotropic, and serene.
6.    Due to its structure, the universal medium is inherently under compression and applies pressure on all three-dimensional objects. This property of the universal medium is gravitation. Gravitation is enormously strong so that it is able to convert single-dimensional quanta of matter into three-dimensional matter. However, positive gravitation can be applied only to convex-curved surfaces of basic three-dimensional matter particles.
7.    The magnitude of gravitation corresponds to the extent of the universal medium that exerts the pressure. The extent of universal medium between two three-dimensional matter particles is always less than the extent of universal medium on their outer sides. Hence, higher gravitational actions on their outer sides tend to move them towards each other. This tendency is understood as gravitational attraction or gravity. Gravitational attraction (gravity) is the resultant (relatively minor by-product) of separate gravitational actions on two three-dimensional matter particles by the universal medium. Gravitational attraction between two macro bodies (at any instant) is between extremely few basic three-dimensional matter particles in them rather than the whole bodies. All other 'natural forces' originate from the self-stabilising property of the universal medium.
8.    Structural deformation of the universal medium in and about a material body is the work associated with the body. The stress due to the structural deformations in and about a material body is the energy associated with it. Energy is a functional entity without positive existence or objective reality. Delay in the stabilisation of structural distortions in the universal medium causes inertia. Fundamentally, there is only one type of effort (commonly known as 'force'), and it is of a push nature. 'Force' is the rate of additional structural distortions introduced in the universal medium (in association with an object) with respect to the distance moved by the object.
9.    A macrobody gains three-dimensional matter-content and associated energy during cooling and loses them during heating. Heat is a process of losing three-dimensional matter-content and associated energy rather than a form of (undefined) energy. Energy, being a functional entity, cannot be equated to motion, which is the result of (real) work.
10.    A corpuscle of radiation (photon) has a segmented, disc-shaped, three-dimensional matter-core that spins about one of its diameters at a spin speed proportional to the magnitude of its three-dimensional matter-content and moves at the highest possible (hence constant) linear speed. Its three-dimensional matter-core provides its particle nature. Movements of a corpuscle's three-dimensional matter-core are accomplished by the movements of structural distortions in the surrounding universal medium, which have many similarities with electromagnetic waves in each plane. This part of a corpuscle gives its wave nature (frequency). The linearly moving, rotating structural distortions in the universal medium, together with the enclosed three-dimensional matter-core, form a corpuscle of radiation (a photon).
11.    The corpuscular nature of light (photons) can explain all phenomena of light. A photon, being a three-dimensional material body, is affected by gravitational attraction. However, since it cannot be accelerated in the direction of its linear motion, a photon's mass is indeterminate. Light is radiated at a constant critical (linear) speed (with respect to the surrounding universal medium) in any region of space, and it is the ultimate linear speed of motion of all 3D material entities, limited by the ability of the universal medium to transfer structural distortions in it. Attempts to change the linear speed of a photon (light) will change its frequency (3D matter-content) rather than its linear speed.
12.    Photons are the most basic three-dimensional matter particles. Their combinations form all other primary and fundamental 3D matter particles. Two complementary photons, in a binary arrangement, form a biton. Two bitons, in perpendicular planes about a common centre, form a tetron. Three bitons, in mutually perpendicular planes about a common centre, form a hexton. Depending on the relative directions of linear and spin motions of constituent photons, a hexton is either an electron or a positron. A single-layered spherical shell, formed by the tetrons, is a neutron. A neutron-like spherical shell formed about a positron is a proton. Two identical neutron-like spherical shells formed about a positron make a deuteron. Deuterons are the majority of nucleons in most atoms.
13.    Linear motions of constituent photons in a circular path in a biton produce structural distortions in the universal medium about it. This is the primary electric field. Primary electric fields of constituent bitons in the hextons produce resultant fields (structural distortions in the universal medium) about them. A positron has two magnetic north polarities with no well-defined magnetic south polarity. An electron has two magnetic south polarities with no well-defined magnetic north polarity. Both positrons and electrons have identical electric fields about them. Positrons have inward (attractive) nuclear fields, and electrons have outward (repulsive) nuclear fields.
14.    Random formation of a nucleus (from available nucleons) stops when the first orbital electron approaches, and the nucleus starts to spin about its axis. Mechanical stability of a spinning nucleus is the sole criterion for the stability of an atomic nucleus. Nucleons form circular rings, which attach side by side along the nuclear axis. The shape of an atomic nucleus (in larger atoms) is tubular, with varying girth at different sections. Orbiting electrons form another tubular structure to enclose the nucleus. The number of orbiting electrons is strictly equal to the number of positrons in the nucleus, and each electron is paired to a corresponding positron.
15.    Deformed regions in the universal medium are fields. They are classified according to the nature of structural distortions, which is indicated by the imaginary lines of force. Linear lines of force indicate magnetic fields, circular lines of force indicate electric fields, and radial lines of force indicate nuclear fields. The region of outgoing lines of force indicates the magnetic north pole, and the region of incoming lines of force indicates the magnetic south pole. Electric charges are relative directions of lines of force in an electric field. They are synonymous with the poles of a magnet. Clockwise lines of force indicate positive electric charge, and anti-clockwise lines of force indicate negative electric charge. As they are relative directions, the electric charges of an electric field depend on the reference used, and every electric field has both positive and negative electric charges. Outward radial lines of force indicate a repulsive nuclear field, and inward radial lines of force indicate an attractive nuclear field.
16.    The angular deflection of the atomic axis from its neutral alignment with its neighbouring atoms is the electric potential of the atom. Electric potential gradually spreads from both terminals of the source body towards the electric midpoint in a closed-circuit conductor, where atoms are at their neutral alignment with each other. Angular deflection between the atomic and nuclear axes produces a resultant electric field about an atom.
17.    There are no translations of fundamental particles during an electric current. Electric current is the establishment of resultant electric fields in all perpendicular planes along the axis of a conductor. The interactive effort (force) between electric fields (charges) depends not only on their types but also on the distance between them. Within the zilch-effort distance, similar electric charges repel each other, and dissimilar electric charges attract each other. Beyond the zilch-effort distance, similar electric charges attract each other, and dissimilar electric charges repel each other. At zilch-effort distance between them, two electric fields do not produce interactive forces. At greater distances from the origin, where the curvatures of their lines of force are very small, an electric field behaves like a magnetic field.
18.    The real planetary orbit is a wavy path about the mean path of the moving central body. Elliptical orbits are only apparent considerations. As the sun is orbiting around the galactic centre, it is imperative that all macrobodies in the solar system orbit in the same plane. Stable orbital motion can be achieved only by those bodies that enter their datum orbital path at the right approach angle through the permitted windows from the rear of the central body. All planets in the solar system arrived from outside.
19.    Parts of the central forces on the central/planetary bodies cause their spin motions in their orbital planes. Magnitude and direction of spin depend on the relation between their semi-orbital paths on either side of the mean path. Every spinning planet accelerates in its spin motion. Slowing of terrestrial spin speed is a myth. The spin motion of a planet is with respect to its spin axis. With respect to external reference, planets have negligible spin speed.
20.    Deformation of a linearly moving, spinning body (in both directions) along the line of action of an external effort/force, when related to the assumed mean shape of the body, appears as tides. Tides are mere changes in the shape of a body, and no work is done by an effort/force for the creation of tides. The magnitude of gravitational attraction between Earth and the Moon, determined in the 2D spatial system, is higher than that between Earth and the Sun. Hence, the lunar tides are larger than the solar tides on Earth.
21.    The magnetic field about a very large macro body is formed by the secondary electric fields of free-floating atoms in its relatively calm fluid surface. Large upheavals in ocean water may change the magnitude and direction of terrestrial magnetism.
22.    Very large macrobodies radiate (three-dimensional matter and associated energy) by gravitational collapse alone. Nuclear fusion is not required for radiation from the stars. The magnitude and diversity of radiation depend solely on the magnitude of their gravitational collapse.
23.    There are neither 'singularities' nor 'big bangs.'. The universe exists more or less in a steady state with occasional and cyclic destruction and renewal of its parts, thereby maintaining an average entropy. Physical laws are equally applicable throughout the universe, under all conditions. Magnitudes of natural constants in any region of space depend on the nature of the universal medium in that region.
24.    Except for their extremely large three-dimensional matter-content and size, 'black holes' are like any other ordinary macrobodies without mysterious properties. Every stable galaxy has a central black hole, around which it rotates. Photons radiated from a black hole disintegrate before reaching an external observer. The electromagnetic interaction between their halos keeps the stable galaxies away from each other. Black holes aid the constant recycling of matter between different spatial dimensional states, maintaining the entropy of the universe within limits.
25.    The extent of the universe is limited by the observer's ability to gather information from. On a larger scale, the universe is in a steady state, and infinite in extent and time. Different parts of the universe disintegrate and recreate in cyclical order.
26.    And many more................... (see table of contents for topics)
With Regards, Nainan K. Varghese