Test of Possible Variations of the Gravitational Constant by the Observation of White Dwarfs within Galactic Clusters

Arrigo Finzi

doi:10.1103/PhysRev.128.2012

Access by Xinjiang University

Test of Possible Variations of the Gravitational Constant by the Observation of White Dwarfs within Galactic Clusters

Arrigo Finzi^*

Istituto di Fisica, Università di Roma, Roma, Italia

^*On leave from the Israeli Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

PDF

Phys. Rev. 128, 2012 – Published 1 December, 1962

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.128.2012

Abstract

An astronomical test is suggested for the hypothesis that the gravitational constant $k$ varies throughout space-time according to the law $k = k_{0} (1 + \frac{aV}{c^{2}})$ , where $a$ is a dimensionless constant of the order of unity and $V$ is the gravitational potential. If $k$ varies, the gravitational self-energy of a body also varies. This brings about a correction in the gravitational force which, in the case of a very dense and massive body like a white dwarf, is not completely negligible. In the gravitational field of the Galaxy, the path of a white dwarf will be slightly different from that of a normal star. In consequence, a white dwarf in a very weakly bound cluster will escape; a white dwarf in a more strongly bound cluster will occupy an anomalous position. Testing these predictions seems to be within the limits of present-day possibilities.

References (19)

A. Einstein, The Meaning of Relativity (Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1950), p. 102
D. W. Sciama, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 113, 34 (1953)
P. Jordan, Schwerkraft und Weltall (Friedrich Viewig und Sohn, Braunschweig, Germany, 1955)
R. H. Dicke, Revs. Modern Phys. 29, 363 (1957)
P. Jordan, Z. Physik 157, 112 (1959)
C. H. Brans, Ph.D. thesis, Princeton University, 1961 (unpublished)
C. Brans and R. H. Dicke, Phys. Rev. 124, 925 (1961)
C. Brans, Phys. Rev. 125, 2194 (1962)
R. H. Dicke, Phys. Rev. 125, 2163 (1962)
A. Finzi, Nuovo cimento 20, 1079 (1961)
W. J. Luyten, Harvard College Observatory Annual Card No. 1202
W. J. Luyten, Astrophys. J. 59, 224 (1954)
Omitted endnote
J. Peebles (private communication)
J. H. Oort, Astrophys. J. 116, 233 (1952)
Omitted endnote
W. J. Luyten (private communication)
A. R. Sandage, Astrophys. J. 125, 422 (1957)
B. J. Bock, Sky and Telescope 10, 239 (1951)

[c1] A. Einstein, The Meaning of Relativity (Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1950), p. 102

[c2] D. W. Sciama, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 113, 34 (1953)

[c3] P. Jordan, Schwerkraft und Weltall (Friedrich Viewig und Sohn, Braunschweig, Germany, 1955)

[c4] R. H. Dicke, Revs. Modern Phys. 29, 363 (1957)

[c5] P. Jordan, Z. Physik 157, 112 (1959)

[c6] C. H. Brans, Ph.D. thesis, Princeton University, 1961 (unpublished)

[c7] C. Brans and R. H. Dicke, Phys. Rev. 124, 925 (1961)

[c8] C. Brans, Phys. Rev. 125, 2194 (1962)

[c9] R. H. Dicke, Phys. Rev. 125, 2163 (1962)

[c10] A. Finzi, Nuovo cimento 20, 1079 (1961)

[c11] W. J. Luyten, Harvard College Observatory Annual Card No. 1202

[c12] W. J. Luyten, Astrophys. J. 59, 224 (1954)

[c13] Omitted endnote

[c14] J. Peebles (private communication)

[c15] J. H. Oort, Astrophys. J. 116, 233 (1952)

[c16] Omitted endnote

[c17] W. J. Luyten (private communication)

[c18] A. R. Sandage, Astrophys. J. 125, 422 (1957)

[c19] B. J. Bock, Sky and Telescope 10, 239 (1951)

Physical Review Journals Archive

Export citation

Export citation

Test of Possible Variations of the Gravitational Constant by the Observation of White Dwarfs within Galactic Clusters

Abstract

References (19)

Outline

Information

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation