Speed of Light in Gravitational Fields

Abstract

A spherically symmetric and static metric that describes physical coordinates is introduced. It is defined to be a metric that gives coordinate independent results for physically observable quantities without a further coordinate transformation. The suggested metric also makes a prediction for the second order gravitational red shift effect that can be utilized for a precision experimental test in the future. A possible new experimental test would be provided by a modern Michelson Morley experiment on the earth with the two arms in vertical and horizontal directions to see the validity of isotropy or anisotropy for the speed of light. The possibility of using pulsars and GPS (Global Positioning System) for a general relativity test is discussed.