Abstract
A TIME-dependent gravitational constant G(t) was proposed by Dirac1 in 1937, and there is some limited evidence for it2–4. It can be incorporated in relativistic theories of gravitation (see refs 5–7), but the resulting equations are liable to be cumbersome, and it is uncertain which theory should be used. Attempts to consider this problem in a Newtonian framework3,4,8–10 have been based on the amended Newtonian force law We show here that the assumption of energy conservation (as discussed below) leads to a more substantial change in the force law.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dirac, P. A. M. Nature, 139, 323 (1937).
Wesson, P. S. Q. Jl R. astr. Soc., 14, 9 (1973).
van Flandern, T. C. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc., 170, 333 (1975).
Dearborn, D. S. and Schramm, D. N. Nature, 247, 441 (1974).
Brans, C. and Dicke, R. H. Phys. Rev., 124, 925 (1961).
Ni, W.-T. Astrophys. J., 176, 769 (1972).
Hoyle, F. and Narlikar, J. V. Action at a Distance in Physics and Cosmology (Freeman, San Francisco, 1974).
Vinti, J. P. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc., 169, 417 (1974).
Roxburgh, I. W. Nature, 261, 301 (1976).
Lewis, B. M. Nature, 261, 302 (1976).
Landsberg, P. T. Nature phys. Sci., 244, 66 (1973).
Landsberg, P. T. and Bishop, N. T. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc., 171, 279 (1975).
Bishop, N. T., thesis, Univ. Southampton (1976).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BISHOP, N., LANDSBERG, P. Time-varying Newtonian gravity and universal motion. Nature 264, 346–347 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264346a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/264346a0
This article is cited by
-
Why quantum mechanics?
Foundations of Physics (1988)
-
The Earth's radius and the G variation
Nature (1981)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.