Einstein's "Prague field-equation" -- another perspective
Abstract
I reconsider Einstein's 1912 "Prague-Theory" of static gravity based on a scalar field obeying a non-linear field equation. I point out that this equation follows from the self-consistent implementation of the principle that all energies source the gravitational field according to E=m(c-squared). This makes it an interesting toy-model for the "flat-space approach" to General Relativity, as pioneered by Kraichnan and later Feynman. Solutions modelling stars show features familiar from GR, e.g., Buchdahl-like inequalities. The relation to full GR is also discussed. This lends this toy theory also some pedagogical significance.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1306.5966,
title = {Einstein's "Prague field-equation" -- another perspective},
author = {Domenico Giulini},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1306.5966},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
14 pages, no figures. Based on a talk delivered at the conference "Relativity and Gravitation 100 years after Einstein in Prague", held in Prague 25.-29. June 2012