New metrics for the gravitational field of a point mass

• Main Author: V.A. Golovko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-06-01
• Series: Results in Physics
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211379719305765

The equations of general relativity for empty space are revisited in order to find metrics satisfying physically judicious requirements that the components of the metric tensor should never change their signs so that the relevant systems of reference could be realized with the aid of real bodies throughout all space. The Schwarzschild metric does not comply with the requirements; besides, the choice of this metric is not founded physically. It is demonstrated that there are an infinite number of metrics satisfying all the requirements. At the same time it is possible to single out a metric which has no singularities except for a central point. The metric covers all spacetime and should be regarded as the most adequate for the gravitational field of a point mass located in the central point. Geodesics in the new metric are investigated and it is shown in particular that the geodesics lead to known experimental results that are put in support of general relativity. For comparison, another possible metric is analyzed as well. Keywords: General relativity, Metrics for vacuum, Schwarzschild metric