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Doing without the Equivalence Principle

R. Aldrovandi·J. G. Pereira·K. H. Vu
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Abstract

In Einstein's general relativity, geometry replaces the concept of force in the description of the gravitation interaction. Such an approach rests on the universality of free-fall--the weak equivalence principle--and would break down without it. On the other hand, the teleparallel version of general relativity, a gauge theory for the translation group, describes the gravitational interaction by a force similar to the Lorentz force of electromagnetism, a non-universal interaction. It is shown that, similarly to the Maxwell's description of electromagnetism, the teleparallel gauge approach provides a consistent theory for gravitation even in the absence of the weak equivalence principle.

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R. Aldrovandi, J. G. Pereira, K. H. Vu. 2004-10-08. Doing without the Equivalence Principle. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812704030_0142

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