Related papers: Apollo 11 and Fundamental Science
There have been various claims that the Equivalence Principle, as originally formulated by Einstein, presents several difficulties when extended to the quantum domain, even in the regime of weak gravity. Here we point out that by following…
The recent discovery of "dark energy" has challenged Einstein's general theory of relativity as a complete model for our macroscopic universe. From a theoretical view, the challenge is even stronger: general relativity clearly does not…
The proposed Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle (STEP) will detect possible violations of the Weak Equivalence Principle by measuring relative accelerations between test masses of different composition with a precision of one part…
The strong equivalence principle is a cornerstone of general relativity, tested with exquisite accuracy in the Solar system. However, tests in the strong-field regime require a compact object. Currently, PSR J0337+1715 is the unique…
The Strong Equivalence Principle (SEP) holds the full essence and meaning of the General Theory of Relativity as the nonlinear relativistic theory of gravitation. It asserts the universal coupling of gravity to all matter and its…
We consider the possibility of using measurements of anomalous magnetic moments of elementary particles as a possible test of the Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP). For the class non-metric theories of gravity described by the \tmu…
In 1919, Eddington and Dyson led two famous expeditions to measure the bending of light during a total solar eclipse. The results of this effort led to the first experimental confirmation of Einstein's General Relativity and contributed to…
The Einstein equivalence principle is certainly a key element in the development of new enhanced theories of gravity. Although being an important building block in Einstein's general relativity, theoretically predicted violations of its…
The Einstein equivalence principle is based on the equality of gravitational mass and inertial mass, which has led to the universality of a free-fall concept. The principle has been extremely well tested so far and has been tested with a…
The year 1996 will mark the initiation of a number of new space missions to the planet Mars from which we expect to obtain a rich set of data, including spacecraft radio tracking data. Anticipating these events, we have analyzed the…
One of two postulates that are base for special relativity is that the laws of physics are invariant in all inertial systems, which has as a consequence that it is impossible for an observer to detect his motion through space. It will be…
Modern formulations of equivalence principles provide the foundation for an efficient approach to understanding and organizing the structural features of gravitation field theories. Since theories' predictions reflect differences in their…
The Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP) is a central pillar of general relativity. Its precise test with quantum systems in space offers a unique window onto new physics. Here we report the first in-orbit quantum test of the WEP. A…
In this paper we examine the possibility of testing the equivalence principle, in its weak form, by analyzing the orbital motion of a pair of artificial satellites of different composition moving along orbits of identical shape and size in…
In this Essay, we give a correct interpretation of a historical experiment by Kundig on the transverse Doppler shift in a rotating system (Mossbauer rotor experiment). This experiment has been recently first reanalyzed, and then replied by…
Einstein's theory of General Relativity is the benchmark example for empirical success and mathematical elegance in theoretical physics. However, in spite of being the most successfully tested theory in physics, there are strong theoretical…
The Equivalence Principle (EP) is at the heart of General Relativity (GR), tested in many aspects. It is often used to discuss qualitatively the influence of gravity on physical phenomena. But can this be made more precise? We compare clock…
One century after its formulation, Einstein's general relativity has made remarkable predictions and turned out to be compatible with all experimental tests. Most of these tests probe the theory in the weak-field regime, and there are…
Despite the extraordinary successes the two great bastions of $20^{th}$ century science (Quantum Theory and General Relativity) are troubled with serious conceptual and mathematical difficulties. As a result, further growth of fundamental…
Some tests of fundamental physics - the equation of state at supra-nuclear densities, the metric in strong gravity, the effect of magnetic fields above the quantum critical value - can only be measured using compact astrophysical objects:…