Peter Cancellation Principle
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: A Physical Postulate for Symmetric Oscillatory Divergences. This paper describes a postulate for a new fundamental physical law of physics: The Peter Cancellation Principle (PCP), asserts that in any physical system, paired contributions that are equal in magnitude but opposite in physical effect systematically cancel, leaving only the residual asymmetry to drive observable phenomena. It elevates this cancellation behavior from a mathematical convenience to a foundational physical principle, analogous in methodological spirit to the equivalence principle. PCP reframes many standard formulations by treating cancellation not as an artifact of derivation but as the primary structural mechanism shaping dynamics. It applies across domains—classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum theory—by identifying where hidden or unacknowledged cancellations determine the system’s effective behavior. The worth of PCP lies in exposing these residuals as the true carriers of physical information, often simplifying models and revealing deeper symmetries. Its validation depends on demonstrating that predictions derived from residual‑driven dynamics outperform or clarify those from conventional formulations.
Author: Jacobs, Peter
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204861309
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