Einstein's Theory of
Relativity
versus
Classical Mechanics
by Paul Marmet
Chapter Five
Calculation of the Advance
of the Perihelion of Mercury.
5.1 - Mathematical
Transformation of Units between Frames.
In this
chapter we will deal with two kinds of transformations. The first
kind is a mathematical transformation of units which brings no
physical change to the quantities being described. In such a
transformation, there is no physics, just mathematics. For
example, let us suppose that we measure a rod on Mercury and find
that it is 100 times longer than the local Mercury meter. Then we
say that the length of the rod is 100 Mercury meters. However, if
we know that on Mercury, the local meter is 1% longer than the
local reference meter in outer space, we know that the same rod is
actually equal to 101 times the outer space reference meter. These
two descriptions by units of different frames are perfectly
identical. The rod has not changed.
The
observer on Mercury can also use his clock to measure a time
interval. If the Mercury observer measures 100 units on his clock
(i.e. 100 Mercury seconds), knowing that clocks on Mercury run at
a rate which is 1% slower than clocks in outer space, we can
calculate that during that absolute time interval the difference
of clock displays on a clock in outer space will be 101 outer
space units. No physics is involved in that transformation, only
mathematics. The same physical phenomenon is described using
different units.
Other
units must also be transformed. For example, the absolute mass of
the Sun does not change because we observe it from Mercury
location near the Sun. However, measuring the same solar mass
using the smaller Mercury unit of mass will lead to a larger
number of Mercury units. Similarly, the physical amplitude of the
absolute gravitational constant G does not change because the
phenomenon takes place near the Sun. We have seen in chapter four
that the absolute constant G is represented by different numbers
of Mercury and outer space units. Again, no physics is involved.
5.1.1 - Consequence
of a Simple Change of Units.
Let us
suppose that using Newton's relationships, we want to calculate
the period of Mercury using Mercury units. We must then compare
this answer with the one obtained with the same relationships
using outer space units. If we do so, we find that the numbers
of units found for the period are different. However, when we
take into account that the Mercury clock runs at a slower rate,
we see that the absolute times obtained from either frame are
the same.
In the
next section we will see that in order to be compatible with the
principle of mass-energy conservation, one must add another kind
of transformations which are physical transformations. Contrary
to the identical consequences resulting from the mathematical
transformation explained above, different absolute results are
found when Newton's laws are applied with the proper values
belonging to different frames.
5.2 - Physical
Transformations Due to Mass-Energy Conservation.
The
second kind of transformations consists of real physical
changes. We have seen in chapters one and three that when an
object in outer space is moved to Mercury location, its absolute
mass changes because of the change of gravitational potential
and kinetic energies. (In the case of gravitational energy, the
difference of mass is transformed into work). The object that
remains at Mercury location is physically different from the
object that existed in outer space because the dimensions of its
atoms, their mass and clock rate have changed. This physical
change of mass is quite different from the mathematical change
of units mentioned above.
Here is
an example. An observer on Mercury measures that a mass on his
frame is 100 times larger that the unit of mass on Mercury.
Another observer in outer space measures the mass of the same
object after it has been carried out to outer space. In that new
frame, the outer space observer finds the same number (100) of
new units of mass. Both observers measure 100 local
kilograms. However, the absolute mass of this object has changed
when moved from Mercury location to outer space. The Mercury
kilogram is not equal to the outer space kilogram. To realize
this, we need to know the mass at Mercury location using outer
space units. Applying the principle of mass-energy conservation,
we find that using the same outer space units, the mass of the
object is reduced to only 99 outer space kilograms when brought
to Mercury location (since the Mercury kilogram is 1% lighter
than the outer space kilogram). This is a real physical change.
It is not a simple mathematical transformation of units like the
one explained in section 5.1.
We will
see in section 5.3 that these physical changes lead to results
that are physically different when calculated using proper
values in different frames. Using Newton's classical mechanics,
we will find that the results obtained using the proper
parameters in one frame are not coherent with the results
obtained using parameters proper to another frame.
In
order to clarify this description, in this chapter we will use
the expression transformation of units to
designate only a pure mathematical transformation of units. When
a physical change is involved as a consequence of mass-energy
conservation, we will speak of a transformation of
parameters.
We
consider that the interactions between physical elements (like
fields, masses, lengths and clock rates) existing on Mercury,
using Mercury parameters, must be the same as the ones that we
calculate in outer space using outer space parameters. This
means that the mathematical relationships so well-known in
physics are the only ones that are valid but it is required that
on Mercury we use the physical quantities (mass, length and
clock rate) existing on Mercury while in outer space, we use the
physical quantities (which are different) existing in outer
space. In other words, we must always use proper values. It is totally
illogical to use outer space physical parameters at
Mercury location. On Mercury, we must necessarily use physical
parameters that exist on Mercury.
5.3 - Incoherence
between Outer Space and Mercury Predictions Using Newton's
Physics.
In this
book, we use Newton's equations which are always perfectly valid
in all frames. However, there is a difference between Newton's
equations and Newton's physics. Newton's physics is different
from the physics described in this book because it is not
compatible with the principle of mass-energy conservation. In
Newton's physics, there is no place for changes of mass, length
and clock rate. According to that physics, the mass of an object
in outer space does not change if it is transported to Mercury
location or to anywhere in the universe.
Let us
suppose a Newtonian observer wants to measure the period of
Mercury. He wishes to know its mass. To do this, he imagines the
following thought experiment. He takes Mercury out of its orbit
to outer space and puts the planet on a balance to measure its
mass. Then he puts Mercury back on its orbit. Being a Newtonian
observer using Newton's physics, the mass he will use in his
calculations of Mercury's period will be the mass he just
measured in outer space. However, we know this mass is wrong
because of mass-energy conservation. We also know that other
parameters (like length and clock rate) at Mercury location are
modified due to the change of mass. Therefore this observer's
Newtonian calculation of the orbit of Mercury will be wrong even
when he uses the correct equations.
We will
see that when the orbit of a planet moving around the Sun is
calculated, using outer space physical parameters, we find a
perfect ellipse. However, when we use the proper parameters
existing on Mercury, we find a different orbit which is a
precessing ellipse. This explains the advance of the perihelion
of Mercury. When neglecting the changes of mass, length and
clock rate on Mercury with respect to outer space, we find an
erroneous prediction because we use outer space physical
parameters instead of proper parameters.
5.4 - Incoherence of
the Gravitational Force Using Newton's Physics.
Let us
give an example that shows that the calculated force of gravity
is different depending on what the physical parameters are used
(outer space or Mercury). For the Newtonian observer, the
gravitational force is:
|
5.1 |
For that
observer, whether the subscript of M(M) is o.s. or M makes
no difference. We write o.s. because this observer uses Newton’s
physics which always assumes a constant mass. The relevant
physical parameters at Mercury location are:
|
5.2 |
All
physical parameters in equation 5.2 must be Mercury physical
parameters because that is where the interaction takes place. We
will now compare these two equations. We know that the number of
Mercury units to measure the mass of Mercury at Mercury location
is the same as the number of outer space units to measure the mass
of Mercury in outer space. This gives:
M(M)M(M) = M(M)o.s.(o.s.) |
5.3 |
The
relationship between the number of units of mass of the Sun in
outer space and Mercury units is given by equation 4.43:
|
5.4 |
The
relationship between the numbers of meters to measure the distance
of Mercury from the Sun in outer space and Mercury units can be
deduced from equation 4.34:
|
5.5 |
Finally,
the corresponding relationship for the gravitational constant G is
given by equation 4.65:
|
5.6 |
Equations
5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 in 5.2 give:
|
5.7 |
In order
to compare the gravitational force calculated using Mercury units,
with the force calculated using outer space units, let us
transform the number of units of force FG(M) into the
corresponding number of outer space units. From equation 4.70, we
have:
|
5.8 |
Equation
5.7 with 5.8 gives:
|
5.9 |
We must notice
that equation 5.9 does not corresponds to a simple transformation
of units. The physical parameters existing on Mercury at Mercury
location have been taken into account.
Using the
physical parameters existing on Mercury and outer space units,
equation 5.9 shows that the absolute gravitational force on
Mercury is different from the one calculated using the physical
parameters existing in outer space and given in equation 5.1. The
two results are not compatible. They predict different orbits. As
explained above, the logical choice requires that we choose the
equation obtained using the proper physical parameters existing at
the location where the interaction of Mercury takes place with the
gravitational field. We must reject the calculation obtained using
outer space parameters when the experiment is taking place on
Mercury. Finally, we now realize that equations 5.1 is the limit
of equations 5.9 when RM®¥.
There is
another direct consequence of mass-energy conservation. Contrary
to equation 5.1, we see in equation 5.9 that using the physical
parameters existing on Mercury, the decrease of the gravitational
force is no longer perfectly quadratic. We will see in chapter six
that in classical mechanics the orbits of an object submitted to a
non quadratic gravitational force must have a precession.
5.5 - Relevant Physical
Parameters.
Let us
assume that an object on Mercury has a length of 100 Mercury
meters. This means that independently of the units used to
describe it, this is the relevant physical length. If we find
that the meter on Mercury is 1% longer that the outer space
meter, that length will be represented by 101 outer space
meters. However, a Newtonian observer in outer space would
predict 100 outer space meters from his own (incorrect)
calculation.
In the
case of time, if the Mercury observer measures that a phenomenon
lasts 100 Mercury seconds, this means that the outer space
observer measuring the same time interval on his clock (that
runs 1% faster) will measure 101 outer space seconds. For the
outer space observer, this means that the physics taking place
on Mercury is such that the phenomenon takes place more slowly.
We must remember that this is not a simple transformation of
mathematical units. The difference is due to the slowing down of
the processes on Mercury in order to maintain the internal
coherence within the Mercury frame. One must recall that if the
phenomenon takes place in outer space, the outer space observer
will also measure 100 of his seconds which are different from
100 Mercury seconds. However, since the phenomenon is taking
place on Mercury, it takes one extra outer space second before
being completed.
If one
could observe a physical phenomenon from outer space taking
place in a very deep gravitational potential, one would see that
objects are bigger and react more slowly. Furthermore if the
outer space observer calculates quite independently the
phenomena taking place on Mercury using outer space parameters,
he would find that the observations reveal that everything
functions at an unexpected slower rate with respect to his frame
since the physics at Mercury location must be compatible with
Newton's laws when using proper physical parameters.
5.6 - Fundamental
Phenomena Responsible for the Advance of the Perihelion of
Mercury.
This
section is very important to understand the phenomena
responsible for the advance of the perihelion of Mercury. Let us
consider that the orbit calculated by the Mercury observer has a
length equal to 1000 kilometers as determined with Newton's
equations using proper parameters on Mercury. Of course, an
observer located in outer space, also using Newton's equations
and proper values existing in outer space will calculate that
the length of the orbit is 1000 outer space kilometers.
Using
mass-energy conservation, let us assume that due to a different
gravitational potential, the unit meter on Mercury is 1% longer
than the unit meter in outer space. Consequently, in order to be
coherent, we calculate that clocks in outer space will run at a
rate which is 1% faster than the rate on Mercury.
From
the above information, let us calculate the clock display
measured on the outer space clock DCD(o.s.)
while Mercury travels the distance of 1000 kmM. Since
the distance traveled is 1000 kmM, equation 4.34
shows that due to the longer Mercury meter, the outer space
observer will measure 1010 kmo.s.. The circumference
of the orbit is:
Circ[M] = 1000 kmM = 1010 kmo.s. |
5.10 |
This
first correction on lengths ignores that while Mercury travels
1010 kmo.s. the clock in outer space runs 1% faster
that the clock on Mercury. Since we must refer to the parameters
existing on Mercury where the phenomenon takes place, the DCD on the outer space clock must be
increased by one per cent with respect to the Mercury clock
because of the faster rate of that outer space clock.
Consequently, there is an increase of 1% of length to be traveled
because the real length is 1010 kmo.s. plus another
increase of 1% on the outer space clock because of its faster
rate.
Consequently, in order to respect the physical laws existing on
Mercury where the interaction with the gravitational potential
takes place, we see that we must take into account two phenomena
slowing down the completion of the ellipse in the frame where
Mercury interacts with the gravitational potential. One is due to
the increase of length of the Mercury meter and the second is due
to the slowing down of the physical mechanisms on Mercury. We will
calculate these two quantities in detail in the next sections of
this chapter.
Let us
note that in the above description, we have seen that the exact
distance 1000 kmM (or 1010 kmo.s.)
originally planned has been traveled as expected. However, we
might calculate that the DCD(M)
expected from calculations is different from the one measured.
This is because not only Mercury, but also the clock has changed
location (at a certain velocity) between the first and the last
readings. This leads to a drift in the synchronization of the
moving clock as explained clearly in sections 9.4, 9.5 and 9.6.
The reading of chapter nine is necessary to complete the
explanation on the loss of clock synchronization of moving clocks.
5.7 - Change of Length
from Outer Space to Mercury Location.
We have
seen that the relevant parameters responsible for the physical
interaction with the solar gravitational field are the ones at
Mercury location even though the final results are observed by
the outer space observer. Let us calculate the physical length
observed in outer space corresponding to the length calculated
using Mercury parameters where the interaction takes place.
There are two physical phenomena that make the Mercury meter
longer than the outer space meter. The first one is due to the
gravitational potential as explained in chapter one. The second
phenomena is due to the velocity of Mercury on its orbit as
calculated in chapter three.
Let aM(o.s.)
and aM(M) be the numbers representing the semi-major
axis of Mercury. Using equation 4.34, we get the relationship:
|
5.11 |
Let us
call lM(o.s.) the number of outer space meters
for the length of Mercury's elliptical orbit and lM(M)
the number of Mercury meters for the length of the same elliptical
orbit. For a small eccentricity, lM(o.s.) is
about 2paM(o.s.) and lM(M)
is about 2paM(M). The
eccentricity will be taken into account in section 5.10. We have
from equation 5.11:
|
5.12 |
We see in
equation 5.12 that the number of meters measured by the observer
in outer space for the length of the elliptical orbit is larger
than the number of meters measured by the Mercury observer because
the outer space meter is shorter.
Mercury
is not only located in a gravitational potential, it also has a
velocity. Because of this velocity v, there is a difference
between the length of the moving meter and the length of the meter
at rest, both at Mercury distance from the Sun (see equation
3.23). The moving Mercury meter is also the one that is relevant
here since it is the one involved in the physics taking place on
Mercury. The rest meter being shorter, the number of rest meters
needed to describe the length of the orbit will be larger than the
number of moving Mercury meters.
Let us
call Nv the number of moving meters and No
the number of rest meters to measure the Mercury orbit. Similarly
to equations 4.30, 4.31 and 4.32, the absolute length L[rest] of
the Mercury orbit is:
L[rest] = No meter[rest] = Nv
meter[mov] |
5.13 |
where
meter[rest] and meter[mov] represent respectively the length of a
meter at rest and the length of a meter in motion. In equation
5.13, the absolute physical length L[rest] of the Mercury orbit
does not change because we measure it with smaller meters at rest.
Using equations 5.13 and 3.41 we have:
|
5.14 |
which is:
|
5.15 |
Using the
first term of a series expansion gives:
|
5.16 |
In order
to calculate the velocity of Mercury on its orbit, let us use a
well-known relationship in classical mechanics. The centrifugal
force (C.F.) on a moving mass M(M) (Mercury) at a distance
RM from the center of
translation is equal to:
|
5.17 |
In the case of a stable orbit around the Sun, the gravitational
force F(grav) is equal to the centrifugal force. This gives:
|
5.18 |
and
|
5.19 |
Putting
equation 5.19 in 5.16 gives:
|
5.20 |
Equation
5.20 shows that the number of rest meters is larger than the
number of moving meters.
Equation
5.12 gives the relative increase of the number of outer space
meters with respect to the number of Mercury meters due to
mass-energy conservation in the static gravitational potential of
the Sun. Equation 5.20 gives another relative increase of the
number of meters at rest with respect to the number of moving
meters as explained in chapter three. From these two causes, the
total relative number lo.s.,o of outer space
meters at rest with respect to the moving Mercury meters is given
by the product of equations 5.12 and 5.20. This gives:
|
5.21 |
The first
term of a series expansion gives:
|
5.22 |
which gives the total increase of distance in outer
space units following the calculation of the length of the orbit
using Mercury parameters, located in a gravitational potential at
velocity v.
5.8 - Change of Clock
Rate from Outer Space to Mercury Location.
There
are two independent phenomena that slow down the clocks on
Mercury's orbit. One is due to its gravitational potential, the
other is due to its velocity. On the Mercury clock, during the
period required to complete one full revolution, the difference
of clock displays called DCDM(M) is smaller than the difference of clock displays DCDM(o.s.) in outer space
since the physical mechanisms and clocks in outer space run at a
faster rate. Let us calculate DCDM(o.s.) with respect to DCDM(M) during the same absolute time interval. From
equation 4.49 we have:
|
5.23 |
Let us
now study the effect of velocity on clock rates. We have seen that
due to mass-energy conservation, moving clocks are slower than
clocks at rest. Using equation 3.10, we find:
|
5.24 |
where:
|
5.25 |
DCDv is the difference of clock displays on a
clock having a velocity v and DCDo
is the corresponding difference of clock displays on a clock at
rest (both clocks at the same distance from the Sun). Equations
5.24 and 5.25 give:
|
5.26 |
Since v/c
is very small with respect to unity, we consider the first term of
a series expansion of equation 5.26. We get:
|
5.27 |
or again,
|
5.28 |
Equation
5.19 in 5.28 gives:
|
5.29 |
The clock
moving with Mercury is the one submitted to the interaction
between the planet and the solar gravitational field. From
equation 5.29, we see that the moving clock on Mercury runs more
slowly than the clock at rest (at a constant distance from the
Sun). Consequently, as explained above, the physical mechanism
taking place at Mercury location is slower.
We have
seen in equation 5.23 that clocks (and therefore the absolute
physical mechanisms) slow down on Mercury as a consequence of the
gravitational potential at that location. Equation 5.29 also shows
a slowing down of the clocks due to the velocity of Mercury on its
orbit. Let us calculate the total slowing down of clocks on
Mercury due to both the gravitational potential and the velocity
of Mercury on its orbit. The total difference of clock displays DCDM,v on moving Mercury with respect to the difference of
clock displays DCDo.s.,o in
outer space (at rest) is obtained using equations 5.23 and 5.29.
We get:
|
5.30 |
The first
order gives:
|
5.31 |
5.9 - Total Interaction
Due to the Physical Changes of Length and Clock Rate.
We have
seen in sections 5.7 and 5.8 how the changes of length and clock
rate modify the period of translation of Mercury around the Sun.
The first phenomenon given by equation 5.22 gives the relative
length of the orbit as measured in outer space when the phenomenon
is calculated using the parameters existing on Mercury where the
interaction with the gravitational field of the Sun takes place.
The circumference of the orbit lM,v using Mercury
parameters corresponds to a longer length of the orbit as measured
using outer space parameters. Therefore, the outer space observer
will measure more than a full circumference using his own outer
space units. Furthermore, we have seen in equation 5.31 that in
order to be compatible with mass-energy conservation, clock rates
and physical mechanisms taking place on Mercury must be slower
than the ones measured in outer space. Consequently, it will take
a larger number of seconds on the outer space clock to complete
the circumference than on the Mercury clock.
Each
phenomenon makes an independent contribution to modify lengths and
clock rates on moving Mercury with respect to the ones at rest in
outer space. Consequently both phenomena will contribute to the
larger number of units for the period of Mercury as measured by an
outer space observer.
Let us
call Pl,DCD the
period of the orbit of Mercury taking into account the combined
effects of the change of length and the change of clock rate. In Pl,DCD(M,mov), "M,mov" is in round parentheses
since Pl,DCD is a
pure number without units. Then Pl,DCD(M,mov) is the number of Mercury
units for completing the ellipse measured with a clock moving at
velocity v at Mercury location and Pl,DCD(o.s.,rest) is the number of
outer space units to complete the period of the ellipse measured
with a clock in outer space having zero velocity. For clarity, we
have dropped the subscript M indicating the location of the planet
since we consider Mercury at its normal position in the Sun's
gravitational field.
Let us
add the contribution of the two phenomena described above. The
correction on the period will be the product of the contributions
given by equations 5.22 and 5.31. This gives:
|
5.32 |
|
5.33 |
|
5.34 |
The first
order gives:
|
5.35 |
Equation
5.35 shows that the number of units for the total
period of Mercury is larger when measured using outer space units.
Let us transform this result to calculate the relative increase of
the period of Mercury as recorded by an observer using an outer
space clock and an outer space meter. We find that the relative
increase is given by the derivative of equation 5.35. This gives:
|
5.36 |
Equation
5.36 shows that when Mercury has completed its full elliptical
orbit, the observer using an outer space clock will monitor a
period of translation larger by 3GM(S)/c2RM
times Pl,DCD (M,mov).
Before
completing this section, we must notice that following Newton's
law, the advance of the perihelion of Mercury given by equation
5.36 can be written in a more simple form. Let us consider the
gravitational potential "Pot" as a function of the distance RM
from the Sun. Contrary to the definition of potential in
electricity, in mechanics the potential is defined as the energy.
Let us consider the energy per unit of mass. Using Newton's law of
gravitation, we see that this ratio (which corresponds to the
concept of potential in electricity) is independent of the mass of
Mercury. Writing differently Newton's law we find that the
gravitational potential is:
|
5.37 |
Combining
5.36 with 5.37, we get:
|
5.38 |
Equation
5.38 shows that the total advance of the perihelion of Mercury
depends only on the constant 3/c2
times the change of gravitational energy per unit of mass.
Equation 5.38 takes into account both the gravitational potential
and the velocity of Mercury.
5.10 - Correction for
an Elliptical Orbit.
There
is one more term that needs to be taken into account to get a
better accuracy. We know that Mercury travels on an elliptical
orbit. However, in our calculation we have always considered the
distance of Mercury from the Sun (RM) as a constant. In an elliptical motion, the distance
from the Sun is not constant but varies according to a
relationship characteristic of an ellipse. From geometrical
considerations, it is demonstrated [1] that the distance RM
of the orbiting body (Mercury) from the occupied focus (where
the Sun is located) of an ellipse is given by the relationship:
|
5.39 |
where a
is the length of the semi-major axis, e is the eccentricity of the
ellipse and q is the angle between the
value of the perihelion minus the argument of the perihelion. From
equation 5.39, we see that when the eccentricity e is equal to
zero, the distance of the orbiting planet to its center of
translation is equal to a constant "a". Therefore equation 5.36 is
valid when the eccentricity of the orbit of the planet is zero (or
negligible). This is not the case for Mercury for which the
eccentricity is e = 0.2056.
The
orbiting body is sometimes at a closer distance from the Sun where
the gravitational potential is larger. At those times, the
velocity of the planet is larger. Of course, there are other parts
of the orbit where the planet moves more slowly in a shallower
gravitational potential. However, we can see that the smaller
gravitational potential does not compensate completely for the
larger one. The eccentricity must be taken into account. The clock
rate and the unit of length must be taken into account at every
point of the elliptical orbit. We have calculated above that the
change of gravitational potential and of velocity produce an
average effect represented mathematically by an "effective
potential" Pot/M(M) in equation 5.38. Combining equations
5.39 and 5.37 we find:
|
5.40 |
Equation
5.40 shows that the potential per unit of mass is not constant
during an elliptical orbit (contrary to a circular orbit).
Therefore the advance of the perihelion of Mercury after a full
translation depends on the integral of that potential (Pot/M(M))
over a full translation of Mercury around the Sun. This integral
gives the average equivalent gravitational potential during a full
elliptical orbit. It is equal to 1/2p
of the integral of the angle q over 2p. Using equation 5.40, we get:
|
5.41 |
This
gives:
|
5.42 |
The
average gravitational potential obtained when the eccentricity eM for Mercury is:
|
5.43 |
The
average of Pot/M(M) gives the correction to Mercury's
elliptical orbit with respect to a circular orbit. In order to
apply that correction, let us substitute the equivalent potential
of Mercury by the average potential given by equation 5.43.
Equation 5.43 into 5.38 gives:
|
5.44 |
Equation
5.44 shows that an outer space clock takes an extra fraction of a
circumference to complete the ellipse when corrections include
ellipticity. This extra fraction of a circumference D(circ) per unit circumference is:
|
5.45 |
Equation
5.45 is usually presented in radians instead of a fraction of a
circumference. If the advance of the perihelion is represented by
the angle Df, equation 5.45 becomes 2p times larger and gives:
|
5.46 |
Equation
5.46 is the final equation for the advance of the perihelion of
Mercury in radians per translation of Mercury as calculated using
classical mechanics and mass-energy conservation.
5.11 - Mathematical
Identity with Einstein's Equation.
Einstein presented a mathematical relationship for the advance
of the perihelion of Mercury. Many books report that result.
Straumann's [2]
equations 3.1.11 and 3.3.7 give:
|
5.47 |
This
equation is perfectly identical to our equation 5.46.
Consequently, all the physical principles that have been used to
find equation 5.46 are sufficient since we get a prediction
identical to the experimental observations and Einstein's
equation. We add that the experimental value for the advance of
the perihelion of Mercury has been well-known for more than a
century. Le Verrier's calculations of the observational data found
such an advance as early as 1859 [3]. Roseveare published a
very interesting historical account of reliable observations and
calculations of Mercury's perihelion [4].
5.12 - References.
[1] Kenneth R. Lang, Astrophysical
Formulae, Springer-Verlag, ISBN 3-540-09933-6.
second corrected and enlarged edition, p. 541, 1980.
[2] Norbert Straumann, General
Relativity and Relativistic Astrophysics,
Springler-Verlag, second printing, 1991.
[3] U. J. J. Le Verrier,
Théorie du mouvement de Mercure, Ann. Observ. imp.
Paris (Mémoires) 5, p. 1 to 196, 1859.
[4] N. T. Roseveare, Mercury's
Perihelion
from
Le
Verrier
to
Einstein, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 208 p. 1982.
5.13 - Symbols and
Variables
aM(M) |
number of Mercury meters for the
semi-major axis |
aM(o.s.) |
number of outer space meters for the
semi-major axis |
DCDM(M) |
DCD for the
period of Mercury measured by a Mercury clock |
DCDM(o.s.) |
DCD for the
period of Mercury measured by an outer space clock |
DCDM,v |
DCD for the
period of Mercury measured by a moving Mercury clock |
DCDo.s.,o |
DCD for the
period of Mercury measured by an outer space clock at
rest |
DCDo |
DCD for the
period of Mercury on a clock at rest |
DCDv |
DCD for the
period of Mercury on a clock in motion |
DPl,DCD(o.s.,rest) |
relative increase of the number of
absolute seconds for the period of Mercury |
Df |
advance of the perihelion of Mercury in
radians |
FG(M) |
number of Mercury newtons for the
gravitational force on Mercury |
FG(o.s.) |
number of outer space newtons for the
gravitational force on Mercury |
G(M) |
number of Mercury units for the
gravitational constant |
G(o.s.) |
number of outer space units for the
gravitational constant |
kmframe |
length of the local kilometer in a frame |
lM(M) |
number of Mercury meters for the orbit
of Mercury |
lM(o.s.) |
number of outer space meters for the
orbit of Mercury |
lM,v |
number of Mercury moving meters for the
orbit of Mercury |
lo.s.,o |
number of outer space rest meters for
the orbit of Mercury |
L[rest] |
length of the orbit of Mercury in rest
units |
meter[frame] |
length of the local meter in a frame |
M(M)M(M) |
number of Mercury kilograms for Mercury
at Mercury location |
M(M)o.s.(o.s.) |
number of outer space kilograms for
Mercury in outer space |
M(S)(M) |
number of Mercury units for the mass of
the Sun |
M(S)(o.s.) |
number of outer space units for the mass
of the Sun |
No |
number of rest meters for the orbit of
Mercury |
Nv |
number of moving meters for the orbit of
Mercury |
Pl,DCD(o.s.,rest) |
number of outer space (rest) seconds for
the period of Mercury taking into account the
gravitational potential and the velocity of Mercury |
Pl,DCD(M,mov) |
number of Mercury (motion) seconds for
the period of Mercury taking into account the
gravitational potential and the velocity of Mercury |
RM(M) |
distance of Mercury from the Sun in
Mercury units |
RM(o.s.) |
distance of Mercury from the Sun in
outer space units |
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Chapter4
Contents
Chapter 6
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