Abstract
In general relativity, the values of constant terms in the equations of motions of planets and light have not been seriously discussed. Based on the Schwarzschild metric and the geodesic equations of the Riemann geometry, it is proved in this paper that the constant term in the time-dependent
equation of motion of planet in general relativity must be equal to zero. Otherwise, when the correction term of general relativity is ignored, the resulting Newtonian gravity formula would change its basic form. Due to the absence of this constant term, the equation of motion cannot describe
the elliptical and the hyperbolic orbital motions of celestial bodies in the solar gravitational field. It can only describe the parabolic orbital motion (with minor corrections). Therefore, it becomes meaningless to use general relativity calculating the precession of Mercury's perihelion.
It is also proved that the time-dependent orbital equation of light in general relativity is contradictory to the time-independent equation of light. Using the time-independent orbital equation to do calculation, the deflection angle of light in the solar gravitational field is <mml:math
display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>1.7</mml:mn> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>5</mml:mn> <mml:mo>″</mml:mo> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> . But using the time-dependent equation to do calculation, the deflection angle
of light is only a small correction of the prediction value <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>0.87</mml:mn> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>5</mml:mn> <mml:mo>″</mml:mo> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> of the
Newtonian gravity theory with a magnitude order of <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>−</mml:mo> <mml:mn>5</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msup>
</mml:mrow> </mml:math> . The reason causing this inconsistency was the Einstein's assumption that the motion of light satisfied the condition <mml:math display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>d</mml:mi> <mml:mi>s</mml:mi> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo>
<mml:mn>0</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> in gravitational field. It leads to the absence of constant term in the time-independent equation of motion of light and destroys the uniqueness of geodesic in curved space-time. Meanwhile, light is subjected to repulsive forces
in the gravitational field, rather than attractive forces. The direction of deflection of light is opposite, inconsistent with the predictions of present general relativity and the Newtonian theory of gravity. Observing on the earth surface, the wavelength of light emitted by the sun is violet
shifted. This prediction is obviously not true. Practical observation is red shift. Finally, the practical significance of the calculation of the Mercury perihelion's precession and the existing problems of the light's deflection experiments of general relativity are briefly discussed. The
conclusion of this paper is that general relativity cannot have consistence with the Newtonian theory of gravity for the descriptions of motions of planets and light in the solar system. The theory itself is not self-consistent too.
Publisher
Physics Essays Publication
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy