Post-Newtonian Approximation of a Scalar Theory of Gravitation and Application to Light Rays

Abstract

A scalar, preferred-frame theory of gravitation is summarized. Space-time is endowed with both a flat metric and a curved, "physical" metric. Motion is governed by a natural extension of Newton's second law, which implies geodesic motion only for a static field. The theory predicts Schwarzschild's exterior metric in the spherical static situation. It also predicts gravitation waves with the velocity of light. The equations of motion are recast into the "flat space - uniform time" form, and compared with the geodesic equations of motion. The principles of the post-Newtonian approximation of this theory are given, including the way to account for preferred-frame effects. This approximation is then developed more particularly for photons. It is found that the preferred-frame effects do not occur in this case, nor does the difference between Newton's second law and geodesic assumption. Thus, the post-Newtonian predictions of this theory for photons are indistinguishable from the standard post-Newtonian predictions of general relativity.