Einstein's Theories of Relativity and Gravitation: A selection of material from the essays submitted in the competition for the Eugene Higgins prize of $5,000Bird, J. Malcolm (James Malcolm)
Philosophy
Einstein's Theories of Relativity and Gravitation: A selection of material from the essays submitted in the competition for the Eugene Higgins prize of $5,000
Bird, J. Malcolm (James Malcolm)
Relativity (Physics)
When energy is thwarted in its natural flow, force is manifested,
with which are associated non-uniform motions such as accelerations
and rotations. This disturbed World-Frame we distinguish as the
World-Fabric. It is found to have various non-Euclidean characters
differing from the simple "flat" character of the World-Frame according
to the degree of disturbance (action) in the region. Disturbance
gives the fabric a geometrical character of "curvature"; the more
considerable the disturbance, the greater the curvature. Thus an
empty region (not containing energy, but under its influence) has
less curvature than a region in which free energy abounds.
Our problem, after showing the relativity of force (especially
gravitational force), is to determine the law underlying the fabric's
geometrical character; to ascertain how the degree of curvature is
related to the energy influencing a region, and how the curvature of
one region is linked by differential equations to that of neighboring
regions. Such a law will be seen to be the law of gravitation.
We study the World-Fabric by considering tracks on which material
particles and light-pulses progress; we find such tracks regulated
and defined by the Fabric's curvature, and not, as hitherto supposed,
by attractive force inherent in matter. As a track is measurable by
summing the separation-intervals between near-by point-events on it,
all observers will agree which is the unique track between two distant
point-events. Einstein postulates that freely progressing bodies
will follow unique tracks, which are therefore called natural tracks
(geodesics).
If material bodies are prevented from following natural tracks by
contact with matter or other causes, the phenomenon of gravitational
force is manifested relative to them. Whenever the natural flow
of energy is interrupted force is born. For example, when the
piston interrupts the flow of steam, or golf ball flow of club,
force results--the interruption is mutual, and the force relative
to both. Likewise when the earth interrupts the natural track of a
particle (or observer) gravitational force is manifested relative
to both.
So long as a body moves freely no force is appreciated by it. A
falling aviator (neglecting air resistance) will not appreciate any
gravitational force. He follows a natural track, thereby freeing
himself from the force experienced in contact with matter. He
acquires an accelerating motion with respect to an inertial system. By
acquiring a particular accelerating motion an observer can annul any
force experienced in any small region where the field of force can
be considered constant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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