The equivalence principle

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01018801· OSTI ID:377104

Logunov, A A; Mestvirishvili, M A; Chugreev, Yu V

For the example of the motion of an accelerated charge it is shown that an inertial frame of reference in which there is a homogeneous static gravitational field with strength g is physically inequivalent to a uniformly accelerated frame of reference moving with acceleration -g with respect to the intertial frame of reference. It follows from this that the equivalence principle does not hold in the usual formulation. The widely held opinion that such a principle is the basis of the general theory of relativity is not entirely correct. Einstein`s theory of gravitation is based on an equivalence principle of a deeper content, which takes the form that the metric field g{sub uv} of a Riemannian space is declared to be a gravitational field. Such is the {open_quotes}natural formulation of the equivalence principle{close_quotes} at which Einstein subsequently arrived.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 377104
• Journal Information: Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, Journal Name: Theoretical and Mathematical Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 99; ISSN 0040-5779; ISSN TMPHAH
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ACCELERATION
ENERGY-MOMENTUM TENSOR
EQUIVALENCE PRINCIPLE
GEODESICS
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
MINKOWSKI SPACE