AT2 - Alternative Theories (B) |
Speaker_ |
Lo, C. Y. |
Talk _ |
Precession Formulas for Gravity Probe-B and its Complementary Experiment of Local Light Speeds |
Abstract _ |
Gauge invariance implies that the formula for the de Sitter precession is independent of the gauge for the same frame of refer-ence. Calculation shows however, three gauges lead to different formulas. Thus, Einstein¡¯s theory actually cannot predict the de Sitter precession. Moreover, since the Stanford experiment, Gravity Probe-B, measures only the accumulated effects of the de Sitter precession, it would be very difficult for gravity Probe-B to distinguish these three formulas because of the time averaging effect. Although the radial gauge that has no space contraction in the r-direction, has an arbitrary integral constant in the related formula, Gravity Probe-B is unable to show whether such a gauge or Whitehead¡¯s theory is invalid. Fortunately, as conjectured by Zhou, an experiment on local light speeds would support the Maxwell-Newton Approximation, in addition to tell whether Whitehead¡¯s theory is valid although this experiment is not sensitive to the globe¡¯s rotation. |