Sub-principle

There are no fields or forces as independent entities. What conventional physics describes as fields and forces are actually patterns of matter in motion.


Core Principle

This axiom establishes the ontological foundation of the Astro Atomic Model (AAM). It asserts that physical reality consists of only three fundamental constituents:

Space
The infinite container in which all phenomena occur
Matter
Physical substance with mass and dimension
Motion
The movement of matter through space

All observed physical phenomena—from gravitation to magnetism, from atomic spectra to chemical bonding—can be explained purely through the mechanical interactions of matter in motion within space. This eliminates the need for abstract concepts like "fields," "forces," or "action at a distance."

Understanding Aether in the AAM

In conventional physics, aether was discarded as a concept. In the AAM, aether is restored—but not as a mysterious substance. Rather, aether at any level consists of ordinary matter from smaller scales.

At our experiential similarity level ($SL_{0}$), the aether comprises particles so small we cannot directly observe them—specifically, matter from similarity level $SL_{-2}$. At the atomic level ($SL_{-1}$), that level's aether consists of even smaller particles from $SL_{-3}$.

This creates a hierarchical structure: what appears as "ordinary matter" at one scale becomes "aether" for the scale two levels above. The full implications of this relationship will be developed in subsequent axioms addressing the infinite divisibility of matter and the self-similar structure of reality across all scales.


What This Axiom Eliminates

1. Electromagnetic Fields

Conventional physics treats electric and magnetic fields as independent entities that exist in space and exert forces on charged particles. The AAM rejects this, explaining these phenomena through mechanical matter-in-motion mechanisms (detailed in Axiom 8):

Electrical Phenomena:

  • Result from gravitational configurations at atomic scale
  • "Positive charge" = gravitationally incomplete structure (nucleon without valence shell)
  • "Negative charge" = gravitationally completing element (the valence shell)
  • Electrical attraction/repulsion = gravitational shadowing interactions
  • All electrical properties reduce to gravitational shadowing (same mechanism as gravity, just at atomic scale)

Magnetic Phenomena:

  • Result from aligned momentum valence shells in conductive elements
  • Conductive elements possess dual valence cloud structure: bonding cloud + momentum cloud
  • Current (gravitational orbitron flow) aligns bonding shells $\rightarrow$ orients atoms $\rightarrow$ aligns momentum shells
  • Aligned momentum shells create extended orbitron 'field' = magnetic 'field'
  • Perpendicular relationship from geometric cloud orientations

Mechanical Connection:

  • Electrical and magnetic phenomena are distinct but mechanically coupled
  • Current flow creates alignment cascade: bonding shells $\rightarrow$ atomic orientation $\rightarrow$ momentum shell alignment
  • Both reduce to matter in motion (gravitational flow + orbitron cloud alignment)
  • No abstract 'fields'—only physical matter configurations and distributions
  • See Axiom 8: The constancy of Motion for a complete mechanical explanation.

2. Forces as Fundamental

Instead of treating forces as causes, the AAM recognizes them as descriptions of effects:

  • "Gravitational force" $\rightarrow$ Momentum transfer from asymmetric aether bombardment (geometric shadowing)
  • "Electrical force" $\rightarrow$ Gravitational shadowing between incomplete/complete atomic configurations
  • "Magnetic force" $\rightarrow$ Extended orbitron clouds from aligned momentum valence shells
  • "Strong/weak nuclear forces" $\rightarrow$ Gravitational attraction (geometric shadowing) vs Magnetic repulsion (aetheric anti-alignment) between nucleons at close range

All apparent "forces" reduce to mechanical interactions of matter in motion. What conventional physics treats as four fundamental forces, the AAM explains through geometric shadowing and mechanical coupling/aetheric alignment/anti-alignment at different scales.

3. Action at a Distance

All interactions occur through direct contact or through a medium (aether). There is no mysterious influence propagating through empty space.

4. Point Particles

All particles have mass and dimension. The mathematical idealization of "point-like" particles has no place in physical reality.


Key Mechanisms Supporting Axiom 1

1. Gravity via Geometric Shadowing

The Mechanism:

  • Aether particles continuously bombard all matter from all directions at high velocities
  • When two masses are near each other, each mass blocks (shadows) some of the aether bombardment that would otherwise reach the other mass
  • Outer sides (facing away from each other) receive full aether bombardment from all directions
  • Inner sides (facing each other) receive reduced bombardment due to the shadowing effect
  • This creates a bombardment asymmetry: more impacts from outside than from inside
  • Net result: both masses are pushed toward each other (toward the region of lower bombardment)

Key Features:

  • Purely geometric — the effect arises from spatial blocking, not energy dissipation
  • Local interaction — no long-range particle travel required; aether is already everywhere
  • No aberration — the shadowing effect is instantaneous; gravitational effects propagate through the entrained aether medium almost instantly
  • Scales with density and cross-section — denser matter blocks more aether; larger cross-sections create larger shadows

Why Atomic-Scale "Gravity" Appears Stronger:

Atomic particles are much denser than astronomical bodies. At similarity level $SL_{-1}$:

  • Higher density means more effective shadowing per unit volume
  • Particles are closer together, making the shadowing effect more pronounced
  • The same geometric mechanism produces effects ~1042 times stronger (conventionally called "electromagnetic forces")

Reference: This builds on Le Sage's push theory of gravitation and Glenn Borchardt's refinements in "Infinite Universe Theory," with emphasis on the geometric shadowing mechanism as the primary cause.

2. Magnetism via Dual Valence Cloud Structure

The Atomic Structure:

Atoms contain multiple structural components at different scales:

  • Nucleus (very small, dense) — iron-based nucleons
  • Electron planes (small, close to nucleus)
    • Contain planetrons (large orbitrons) in organized orbital patterns
    • Responsible for atomic spectra
  • Dual Valence Clouds (in conductive/magnetic elements):
    • Bonding valence cloud: Right size for chemical bonding and orbitron flow
    • Momentum valence cloud: Larger, perpendicular to bonding cloud, creates magnetic effects when aligned

Conductive/Magnetic Materials:

In elements like iron, copper, nickel, and cobalt:

  1. Dual valence cloud structure allows both electrical conductivity and magnetic properties
  2. Bonding cloud handles orbitron flow (electrical current) and chemical bonding
  3. Momentum cloud (perpendicular to bonding cloud) creates magnetic effects when aligned
  4. When current flows, bonding shells align $\rightarrow$ atoms orient $\rightarrow$ momentum shells align
  5. Result: Magnetic domains where momentum valence shells of billions of atoms align

The Alignment Mechanism:

Based on mechanical coupling through dual cloud structure (detailed in Axiom 8):

  • Current (gravitational orbitron flow) aligns bonding valence shells
  • Aligned bonding shells orient atoms in similar configurations
  • Oriented atoms $\rightarrow$ aligned momentum shells (perpendicular to bonding)
  • Aligned momentum shells create extended orbitron 'field' = magnetic 'field'
  • Perpendicular geometry explains right-hand rule

Why Only Certain Elements are Conductive/Magnetic:

Not all elements can form stable dual valence cloud structures. Only elements with specific atomic configurations can support:

  • Bonding cloud at right size for bonding and orbitron flow
  • Larger momentum cloud naturally perpendicular to bonding cloud
  • Both clouds stable enough to maintain alignment under current flow

3. Chemical Bonding via Gravitational Shadowing

The Process:

  1. Initial approach (atoms far apart): Gravitational shadowing between atoms creates attraction $\rightarrow$ atoms move closer
  2. Critical distance: Valence clouds begin to interfere $\rightarrow$ collisions between orbitrons occur
  3. Repulsion: Colliding orbitrons transfer momentum, creating outward push
  4. Equilibrium: Distance where gravitational attraction = orbitron collision repulsion
  5. Bonding through valence shells: Valence orbitrons transfer between atoms gravitationally, creating stable bonding configurations

This Explains:

  • Atomic radii — equilibrium distances for different elements
  • Pauli exclusion — orbitron collision mechanics, not quantum wave functions
  • Bond lengths — element-specific equilibrium distances
  • Chemical reactivity — atoms with incomplete configurations (missing shells) are reactive
  • Valence — valence cloud geometry determines bonding capacity
  • Ionic bonding — complete orbitron transfer between atoms
  • Covalent bonding — shared orbitrons between atoms

4. Electrical Conductivity via Orbitron Transfer

In Conductive Materials (like copper):

  • Valence clouds are geometrically arranged so orbitrons can transfer between clouds of neighboring atoms
  • The outer structures of adjacent atoms have compatible geometry and proximity
  • "Current flow" = cascading orbitron transfers from cloud to cloud through the material
  • Resistance = friction and collisions during the transfer process

Temperature Effects:

  • Higher temperature increases thermal motion of electron planes and valence clouds
  • This disrupts cloud alignment and transfer pathways
  • Result: conductivity decreases with temperature in metals

5. Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment Reinterpreted

Conventional Interpretation:

Alpha particles deflected at sharp angles indicate strong repulsive force from concentrated positive charge (nucleus).

AAM Interpretation:

  1. Gravitational shadowing at atomic scale is extraordinarily strong (atomic particles are very dense)
  2. Alpha particle approaches gold nucleus $\rightarrow$ strong gravitational attraction pulls it toward nucleus
  3. If the particle doesn't hit directly $\rightarrow$ it passes close by
  4. Gravitational slingshot sends particle back at sharp angle (like spacecraft using planetary flybys)
  5. Net result: appears like repulsion, but actually attraction + momentum conservation

Key Point: The nucleus's gravitational shadow dominates the interaction. The nucleus is much smaller than conventionally thought, and the apparent "Coulomb repulsion" is actually a gravitational slingshot effect.


Critical Terminology Clarification

Understanding Planetrons, Electrons, and Atomic Structure

Before proceeding to specific atomic mechanisms, it's essential to clarify the relationship between conventional chemistry's "electrons" and the AAM's planetron/electron plane structure:

Planetrons vs. Electrons vs. Planets

Three Key Correspondences:

  1. Planetrons $\leftrightarrow$ Planets: one-to-one
    • Our solar system (single-star system): 8 planets (Mercury through Neptune)
    • Hydrogen atom (single-nucleon): 8 planetrons (Mercury through Neptune analogs)
    • Each planetron corresponds to one planet
  2. What Conventional Physics Calls "The Electron"

    Conventional physics uses "electron" as a single entity, but in the AAM this label actually maps to three different structures depending on experimental context:

    Conventional Context AAM Equivalent Explanation
    Chemical bonding, orbitals, electron shells Valence cloud/shell (Oort Cloud analog) The diffuse cloud of orbitrons surrounding the planetron plane — analogous to the Oort Cloud surrounding our solar system
    Spectral emission/absorption lines Collective planetron activity Individual planetrons orbiting within the electron plane produce discrete spectral lines through orbital resonances
    Particle tracks in accelerators/cloud chambers Individual planetrons Physical masses (iron-rich, Jupiter/Saturn analogs) that are ejected and detected as discrete particles

    Conventional physics assumed these were manifestations of a single particle because measurements at different scales were interpreted through the same theoretical framework. The AAM recognizes them as three distinct phenomena that were grouped under one label due to the limitations of pre-similarity-level physics.

  3. Atoms $\leftrightarrow$ Star Systems: by nucleon count
    • Single-nucleon atoms (hydrogen) $\leftrightarrow$ Single-star systems
    • Multi-nucleon atoms (helium, etc.) $\leftrightarrow$ Multi-star systems

Hydrogen-Specific Structure (Single-Star Analog)

Hydrogen atom:

  • Conventional chemistry: 1 electron/1 electron cloud
  • AAM interpretation: 1 planetron plane containing ~8 planetrons with surrounding electron/valence cloud
  • Direct analog: Our solar system (single star with 8 planets) with surrounding Oort Cloud
  • The 8 planetrons orbit together in a single plane

Why 8 planetrons for hydrogen:

  • Hydrogen has one nucleon (single proton)
  • Corresponds to single-star systems
  • Our solar system is the template (8 planets)
  • This structure is specific to hydrogen

Heavier Elements (Multi-Star System Analogs)

Important: The 8-planetron-per-plane structure is hydrogen-specific and applies to single-nucleon atoms corresponding to single-star systems. Heavier elements have different structures:

Helium (2 nucleons):

  • Conventional chemistry: 2 electrons
  • AAM interpretation: requires further investigation
  • Analog: Binary star system (2 stars)
  • Number of planetrons per plane: requires further investigation

Heavier Elements (3+ nucleons):

  • Correspond to multi-star systems (trinary, quaternary, etc.)
  • Multi-star systems have different gravitational dynamics than single-star systems
  • Different numbers and configurations of planets would be stable
  • Therefore: different numbers and configurations of planetrons per plane
  • These structures require further development

Chemical Behavior and Spectral Lines

Chemical Properties:

  • Depend on the number of electron planes (multiple planes in multiple orientations and nucleon bindings)
  • Hydrogen: 1 plane = monovalent behavior
  • Helium: requires further investigation
  • Not determined by total number of individual planetrons

Spectral Lines:

  • Come from individual planetrons within the planes
  • Each spectral line corresponds to one specific planetron
  • Hydrogen's spectrum maps to its 8 planetrons (Mercury line, Venus line, Earth line, etc.)
  • Fine structure comes from moons orbiting those planetrons

This Means:

  • Conventional "electron count" = Depends on the number, mass, orientation, and nucleon bindings of the electron clouds, not the number of planetrons
  • Spectroscopic analysis reveals individual planetrons
  • Atomic number relates to nuclear structure (nucleon count)

Throughout the AAM

When these terms are used, they refer to the following:

  • planetron plane = the complete orbital structure containing multiple planetrons
  • Planetrons = individual orbital bodies within a plane (analogous to individual planets)
  • Orbitrons = smaller orbital bodies in valence clouds and orbitron belts
  • Electron (conventional term) = maps to different AAM structures depending on context: the valence cloud (bonding), planetron orbital resonances (spectral lines), or individual planetrons (particle detection). See the three-context table above.

Hydrogen Spectrum and Planetary Correspondence

Note: This section describes the hydrogen atom specifically—a single-nucleon atom analogous to a single-star system with 8 planets/planetrons.

The Fundamental Principle

Spectral lines (both absorption and emission) represent the orbital frequencies of planetrons.

  • Planetrons orbit continuously in fixed shells (like planets in solar system)
  • Each planetron has a natural orbital frequency: \( f = \frac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{\frac{GM}{r^3}} \)
  • Spectral lines occur when external perturbations resonate with these orbital frequencies
  • NO quantum jumps, NO wave function collapse—pure classical resonance!

Absorption Spectrum Mechanism

Setup: White light (broad spectrum of EM/gravitational waves) passes through hydrogen gas.

What Happens:

  1. When wave frequency matches planetron orbital frequency:
    • Resonance occurs (like pushing swing at natural frequency)
    • Planetron orbit absorbs energy from that specific wave frequency
    • That frequency is not transmitted through the atom
  2. Result on spectrum:
    • Black line appears at that frequency
    • Light at that frequency was absorbed, not transmitted
    • Each black line = one planetron's orbital frequency
  3. Multiple black lines in hydrogen:
    • 8 distinct absorption lines (one per planetron)
    • Each corresponds to a specific planetron's orbital frequency

Emission Spectrum Mechanism

Setup: Hydrogen atoms are excited (heated, electrical discharge, collisions).

What Happens:

  1. Atoms get "bounced around" at varying rates
  2. When bounce frequency matches a planetron's orbital frequency:
    • Resonance occurs with that specific planetron
    • Planetron's orbit is perturbed
    • Perturbation creates outward wave (disturbance in aether)
  3. Result on spectrum:
    • Colored line (bright emission) at that frequency
    • Light is emitted at planetron's orbital frequency
    • Different atoms excite different planetrons
    • All planetron frequencies eventually get excited across the ensemble

Physical Mechanism:

  • Mechanical bounce drives planetron orbit
  • When bounce frequency matches orbital frequency $\rightarrow$ resonance
  • Perturbed orbit radiates wave outward
  • Wave carries energy away at orbital frequency
  • Detected as emission line

Line-by-Planetron Mapping (Hydrogen's 8 Planetrons)

Each spectral line corresponds to one planetron's orbital frequency:

  • Shortest wavelength line (highest frequency) ← Innermost planetron (Mercury analog)
  • Second line ← Second planetron (Venus analog)
  • Third line ← Third planetron (Earth analog)
  • Fourth line ← Fourth planetron (Mars analog)
  • Fifth line ← Fifth planetron (Jupiter analog)
  • Sixth line ← Sixth planetron (Saturn analog)
  • Seventh line ← Seventh planetron (Uranus analog)
  • Eighth line (longest wavelength/lowest frequency) ← Outermost planetron (Neptune analog)

CRITICAL: These lines represent the orbital frequencies of planetrons orbiting the nucleus, not energy differences between quantum levels. The planetrons orbit continuously; spectral phenomena arise from resonance with these orbital motions.

This 8-planetron structure is specific to hydrogen - a single-nucleon atom corresponding to a single-star system. Heavier elements (multi-nucleon atoms) correspond to multi-star systems and will have different planetron counts and configurations per electron plane.

Fine Structure

The fine structure observed in some spectral lines is caused by moons orbiting those planetrons. Just as planets have moons in our solar system, planetrons have their own satellites that create additional gravitational perturbations, producing closely spaced spectral lines around the main frequency.

Why Our Solar System Doesn't Match Exactly

The relative distances of our solar system's planets don't perfectly match the relative wavelengths of hydrogen's spectral lines because our solar system hasn't settled into its final stable configuration yet. This settling process:

  • Takes millions to billions of years at $SL_{0}$ (our scale)
  • Takes a "split second" at $SL_{-1}$ (atomic scale) due to time scaling
  • When complete, our solar system's planetary spacing will exactly match hydrogen's spectral line ratios

Key Difference from Quantum Mechanics

QM Says (INCORRECT):

  • Electrons "jump" between discrete energy levels
  • Absorption = electron jumps up a level
  • Emission = electron falls down a level
  • Spectral line = energy difference \( (E_2 - E_1 = h\nu) \)

AAM Says (CORRECT):

  • Planetrons orbit continuously (no jumping!)
  • Absorption = resonant wave energy transfer to orbiting planetron
  • Emission = resonant wave radiation from mechanically perturbed orbit
  • Spectral line = orbital frequency of planetron \( f = \frac{\sqrt{GM/r^3}}{2\pi} \)
  • Mechanically transparent, classical process

Implications: This direct correspondence between spectral lines and planetron orbital frequencies provides a mechanical explanation for atomic spectra without invoking quantum mechanics. The spectrum is literally a frequency census of the atom's planetary orbital structure.

Supporting Evidence

  • Studies like the Titius-Bode Law show that planetary orbital spacing follows mathematical patterns
  • Hydrogen spectrum wavelength ratios should match final stable planetary configurations
  • Time-scaling differences between similarity levels explain why atoms appear “settled” while solar systems appear “evolving”
  • Each spectral line has finite width, consistent with mechanical resonance (not infinitely sharp quantum transitions)

Connection to Photoelectric Effect

The Unified Picture:

Spectral lines and photoelectric effect both involve the same planetron orbital frequencies:

  • Absorption spectroscopy: Wave resonates with planetron orbit $\rightarrow$ energy absorbed
  • Emission spectroscopy: Mechanical perturbation resonates with orbit $\rightarrow$ wave emitted
  • Photoelectric effect: Wave resonates with outermost planetron $\rightarrow$ eventually ejects it

The Mechanism

  1. Incoming aether wave arrives at frequency \( \nu \)
  2. Resonance condition: \( \nu \approx f_{orbital} \) (orbital frequency of outermost planetron)
  3. Energy accumulation: Like pushing swing—energy builds up over many cycles
  4. Threshold reached: After sufficient resonance cycles, planetron gains enough energy
  5. Ejection: Planetron escapes its orbit (photoelectric emission)

Physical Basis:

The aether wave creates pressure gradients that directly drive the low-mass planetrons while the massive nucleon acts as a stable gravitational center. For same applied force F, planetron acceleration is ~1836 times larger than nucleon acceleration (a = F/m), making direct wave-planetron coupling the dominant energy transfer mechanism.

Expected Relationship

\( \nu_0 \approx f_{orbital} \) (outermost planetron)

OR

\( \nu_0 = n \times f_{orbital} \) (harmonic relationship)

where \( \nu_0 = W/h \) is the threshold frequency (work function W divided by Planck's constant).

Cross-Validation Opportunity

This means we can calculate planetron orbital radii from either:

  1. Spectral line frequencies (direct orbital frequency measurement)
  2. Photoelectric threshold (outermost planetron binding)

Both methods should give consistent results, providing powerful cross-validation of AAM atomic structure predictions!

Why Threshold Exists

  • Below threshold \( (\nu < \nu_0) \): Wave doesn't resonate with any planetron
  • At threshold \( (\nu = \nu_0) \): Wave resonates with outermost planetron's orbital frequency
  • Above threshold \( (\nu > \nu_0) \): Strong resonance, excess energy becomes kinetic energy

This is fundamentally different from the conventional "photon" explanation. AAM explains the photoelectric effect through classical resonance between continuous aether waves and discrete orbital structures—no mysterious light quanta required!


Implications and Applications

For Atomic Structure

  • Atoms are miniature gravitational systems, not quantum probability clouds
  • Spectral lines represent the orbital frequencies of individual planetrons
  • Absorption occurs when incoming waves resonate with planetron orbital motion
  • Emission occurs when mechanical perturbations resonate with planetron orbits
  • Each hydrogen spectral line corresponds to a specific planetron's orbital frequency (Mercury, Venus, Earth analogs, etc.)
  • Fine structure in spectral lines is caused by moons orbiting planetrons
  • Photoelectric effect results from resonant ejection of outermost planetron
  • Our solar system is currently "settling" and will eventually match hydrogen's spectral line ratios exactly

For Cosmology

  • Same physics operates at all scales (astro-atomic symmetry)
  • Our solar system is literally a hydrogen atom at a higher similarity level
  • No need for different physics at different scales

For Thermodynamics

  • Heat is motion of matter at various scales
  • Temperature is average kinetic energy of submicrocosmic motion
  • All thermal phenomena reduce to mechanical motion

For Electromagnetism

  • No separate electromagnetic theory needed
  • "Electric" effects = gravitational shadowing at atomic scale
  • "Magnetic" effects = organized rotational patterns
  • Light is wave motion through aether medium

Supporting Evidence from Known Physics

  1. Newton's Three Laws — All three laws describe only pushes, never pulls. Any apparent "pull" can be recast as a push.
    • Pulling a door handle = pushing with curved fingers
    • Vacuum suction = atmospheric pressure pushing
    • Gravitational "attraction" = aether pressure pushing
  2. Sagnac Effect — Demonstrated that light is wave motion, not particle motion. This requires a medium (aether) for transmission.
  3. Planetary Orbital Patterns — Studies like the Titius-Bode Law show non-random planetary spacing. Similar patterns should exist in atomic electron plane configurations.
  4. Fluid Mechanics Analogies — Ionel Dinu's demonstrations show how rotation in fluids creates attraction and repulsion effects - the same principles apply to matter rotating in the aether medium.
  5. Conservation Laws — All conservation laws follow naturally from mechanical interactions. No additional principles needed.

Open Questions for Future Investigation

Quantitative Models

  1. Can we derive the exact scattering angles from Rutherford's experiment using gravitational slingshot formulas?
  2. What is the mathematical relationship between aether pressure gradients and observed "field strengths"?
  3. Can we map all hydrogen spectral lines to specific planetron positions?
  4. What is the predicted final orbital configuration of our solar system based on hydrogen's spectral ratios?
  5. Can we identify which hydrogen spectral lines exhibit fine structure and correlate them with planetrons that have moons?

Structural Details

  1. What are the specific electron plane configurations for different elements beyond hydrogen?
  2. How many planetrons exist in each electron plane for helium and other multi-nucleon atoms?
  3. How many inner planes form the gyroscope in ferromagnetic elements?
  4. What determines the geometry of valence clouds for different elements?
  5. How do multi-star system dynamics translate to multi-nucleon atomic structures?

Dynamic Processes

  1. What happens at the molecular level during phase transitions?
  2. How do valence clouds rearrange during chemical reactions?
  3. What is the mechanism of heat transfer through electron plane interactions?

Experimental Predictions

  1. Can we predict new magnetic materials based on electron plane geometry?
  2. What specific tests would distinguish AAM predictions from conventional electromagnetic theory?
  3. Are there observable phenomena that only make sense under Axiom 1?

Relationship to Other Axioms

Axiom 1 serves as the foundational principle from which all other axioms and mechanisms derive. It does not depend on other axioms but rather establishes the basic ontology of the AAM.

The subsequent axioms build upon this foundation:

  • Axiom 2 (Infinity of universe) — extends the scope of space and matter
  • Axiom 3 (Infinite divisibility) — specifies the nature of matter
  • Axioms 4-10 — Further specify properties and behaviors within this framework