Two definitions of Mach's principle are proposed. Both are related to gauge theory, are universal in scope and amount to formulations of causality that take into account the relational nature of position, time, and size. One of them leads directly to general relativity and may have relevance to the problem of creating a quantum theory of gravity.
The present work analyzes the meaning of the Weak Equivalence Principle in the context of quantum mechanics. A quantal definition for this principle is introduced. This definition does not require the concept of trajectory and relies upon the phase shift induced by a gravitational field in the context of a quantum interference experiment of two coherent beams of particles. In other words, it resorts to wave properties of the system and not to classical concepts as the idea of trajectory.
We respond to a recent paper by Rindler on the ``Anti--Machian'' nature of the Lense--Thirring effect. We remark that his conclusion depends crucially on the particular formulation of Mach's principle used.
A general formal definition of a theory of space and time compatible with the inertia principle is given. The formal definition of reference frame and inertial equivalence between reference frames are used to construct the class of inertial frames. Then, suitable cocycle relations among the coefficients of space-time transformations between inertial frames are established. The kinematical meaning of coefficients and their reciprocity properties are discussed in some detail. Finally, a rest frame map family is introduced as the most general constitutive assumption to obtain the coefficients and…
A study of kinematics of a 2-body system is used to show that the Mach principle, previously rejected by general relativity, can still serve as an alternative to the concept of absolute space, if one takes into account that the background of distant stars (galaxies) determines {\it both} the inertial and the gravitational masses of a body.
The purpose of this work is to show a possible reconciliation between Mach's principle and the Schwarzschild solution, using a description of this solution in terms of a new radial cooordinate related to the behaviour of Unruh detectors.
The geodesic equation in induced matter theory is redefined. It is shown that the extra forces do not change the four-impulse of massive particles. We show that the 4D space-time is non-integrable and find the relation between non-integrability and the Mach's principal.
In their recent "Mach's principle and higher-dimensional dynamics", Mashhoon and Wesson argue that Mach's principle is not properly incorporated into general relativity and that in Einstein's theory "the origin of inertia remains essentially the same as in Newtonian physics." While it is true that the motion of a single test particle in a Newtonian inertial frame of reference appears essentially the same as in an Einsteinian local inertial frame, this misses the point. The issue is not what motion looks like in an inertial frame of reference but what is the origin of the inertial frame. Unlike…
Starting from the Lovelock action and its supplementation by the relevant Gibbons-Hawking-York boundary term, the curvature action corresponding to second-order General Relativity is stated in accordance to the topological properties of the space-time manifold $\mathcal{M}$ with metric solutions being interpreted as topological solitons. Furthermore, this is shown to arise naturally from a topological interpretation of Mach's principle, with the appropriate manifestation of general covariance. Mach's principle is again invoked to suggest formulations of the curvature action in alternative elli…
By resolving the Riemann curvature relative to a unit timelike vector into electric and magnetic parts, we define a duality transformation which interchanges active and passive electric parts. It implies interchange of roles of Ricci and Einstein curvatures. Further by modifying the vacuum/flat equation we construct spacetimes dual to the Schwarzschild solution and flat spacetime. The dual spacetimes describe the original spacetimes with global monopole charge and global texture. The duality so defined is thus intimately related to the topological defects and also renders the Schwarzschild fie…
In this work the definition of a quasilocal energy for four dimensional first order gravity is developed. Using this an action principle which is adequate for the canonical ensemble is obtained. The microcanonical action principle is obtained as well.
We define a new parameter `cumulative drag index' for a particle in circular orbit in a stationary, axisymmetric gravitational field and study its behaviour in the two well known solutions of general relativity {\it viz.}, the Kerr spacetime and the Gödel spacetime, wherein the inertial frame dragging has an important role. As it shows similar behaviour for both co and counter rotating particles, it may indeed be an indication of the influence of the faraway universe on local physics and thus Machian.
Mach's principle is incompatible with general relativity (GR), it has not condensed into an established theory and suffers from inconsistencies. Yet, the problem is that Mach's principle is a consequence of Berkeley's notions, which are as good as irrefutable for their ontological nature. Moreover, the observed coincidence of the "preferred inertial frame" and the frame attached to the "fixed stars" is essentially Machian, while this coincidence is anomalous to both GR and Newtonian physics. Another issue is that GR needs dark energy to explain the accelerating expansion of the universe, while…
We discuss the definition of velocity as dE/dp, where E,p are the energy and momentum of a particle, in Doubly Special Relativity (DSR). If this definition matches dx/dt appropriate for the space-time sector, then space-time can in principle be built consistently with the existence of an invariant length scale. We show that, within different possible velocity definitions, a space-time compatible with momentum-space DSR principles can not be derived.
We show that the dragging of axis directions of local inertial frames by a weighted average of the energy currents in the universe (Mach's principle) is exact for all linear perturbations of all Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universes and for all types of matter.
It is pointed out that recent cosmological findings seem to support the view that the mass/energy distribution of the universe defines the Newtonian inertial frames as originally suggested by Mach. The background concepts of inertial frame, Newton's second law, and fictitious forces are clarified. A precise definition of Mach's principle is suggested. Then an approximation to general relativity discovered by Einstein, Infeld, and Hoffmann is used and it is found that this precise formulation of Mach's principle is realized provided the mass/energy density of the universe has a specific value. …
We will introduce a gauge model which an electromagnetic coupling constant and local mass are related to all the charge in the universe. we will use the standard Dirac action, but where the mass and the electromagnetic coupling constant are a function of the sum of all the charge in the universe, which represent Mach principle for electromagnetic coupling constant. The formalisation is not manifestly Lorentz invariant, however Lorentz invariance can be restored by performing a phase transformation of the Dirac field.
Mach's principle is the concept that inertial frames are determined by matter. We propose and implement a precise formulation of Mach's principle in which matter and geometry are in one-to-one correspondence. Einstein's equations are not modified and no selection principle is applied to their solutions; Mach's principle is realized wholly within Einstein's general theory of relativity. The key insight is the observation that, in addition to bulk matter, one can also add boundary matter. Specification of both boundary and bulk stress tensors uniquely specifies the geometry and thereby the inert…
The problem of absolute motion in the context of the twin paradox is discussed. It is shown that the various versions of the clock paradox feature some aspects which Mach might have been appreciated. However, the ultimate cause of the behavior of the clocks must be attributed to the autonomous status of spacetime, thereby proving the relational program advocated by Mach as impracticable.
The equivalence principle is the conceptual basis for general relativity. In contrast Mach's principle, although said to have been influential on Einstein in his formulation of general relativity, has not been shown to be central to the structure of general relativity. In this essay we suggest that the quantum effects of Hawking and Unruh radiation are a manifestation of a {\it thermal} Mach's principle, where the local thermodynamic properties of the system are determined by the non-local structure of the quantum fields which determine the vacuum of a given spacetime. By comparing Hawking and…
Einstein was highly fascinated by Ernest Mach's work and by formulating the general theory of relativity (GR) he tried to provide a mathematical description to the Mach's principle. However, soon after its formulation, it was realized that GR does not follow Mach's principle. As it accurately explained many observational results, Einstein did not make any farther attempt to reformulate the theory to explain Mach's principle. Later on, several attempts were made by different researchers to formulate a theory of gravity based on Mach's principle. However, all these theories have their own merits…
In this work we consider a quantum analog of Newton's bucket experiment in a flat spacetime: we take an Unruh-DeWitt detector in interaction with a real massless scalar field. We calculate the detector's excitation rate when it is uniformly rotating around some fixed point and the field is prepared in the Minkowski vacuum and also when the detector is inertial and the field is in the Trocheries-Takeno vacuum state. These results are compared and the relations with a quantum analog of Mach's principle are discussed.
The analyses of high precision astrometric surveys, such as Gaia, implicitly assume a modern version of Mach's Principle: the local inertial frame of our Solar System should be non-rotating in the frame of distant quasars. On the contrary, Einstein's General Relativity allows a rotating universe. Thus, relaxing the assumption of Mach's Principle will allow placing a constraint on a class of rotating cosmologies by comparing high precision astrometry of quasars with well-measured solar system orbits. Constraining global rotation will test General Relativity, inflation, and the isotropy of cosmo…