The Change of the Course of Time in a Force Field and Imponderability

Abstract

It is shown that the force in relativistic mechanics is not only the cause of acceleration of particle relative to an inertial frame of reference, but also the cause of change of the course of time along the particle's trajectory. Therein lies the physical content of the dynamical principle underlying the special theory of relativity (relativistic mechanics). The general formula for the relative course of time between the points lying on the trajectory of motion of particle under the action of a force field in an inertial reference frame is derived. The applications of the theory developed to homogeneous fields - to the field of gravity and electromagnetic field, and also to the gravitational field produced by a point mass particle are considered. Physical properties of the state of imponderability of particle in an external force field are investigated. It is noted that the change in the course of time in a force field is in no way connected with the change in space-time metric and is a direct consequence of the causality principle of relativistic mechanics.