The origin of gravity

It has been shown by Atkinson (1965) that there is a rigorously exact euclidean interpretation of the general relativity field equations if certain arbitrary definitions of mass (m0 and the velocity of light (c) are invoked. With a preferred (euclidean) frame postulatedab initio, a particularly simple explanation in terms of classical physics may be found for very similar definitions ofm andc. It is not unexpected that with this scheme, all the usual tests of general relativity (light deflexion, perihelion motion, gravitational redshift, and radar delay time) are immediately satisfield. The preferred frame is however identified with a real aether and this requires a return to the Lorentzian interpretation of the special relativistic transformations of space and time variables. It is shown that gravity may be attributed to the action of a temperature gradient in the aether and an explanation of its origin in terms of an ideal relativistic gas is proposed. The temperature gradients are thermodynamically stable and do not diffuse if the relativistic aether ( _A ) is effectively adiabatic and matter is fundamentally a species of aether with instantaneous motion at high (> _A ) relative to the aethereal reast frame. To be consistent with such a picture, it is necessary to assume aether particles are capable of forming temporary associations (not recognized as matter) which take on some of the properties of crystalline solids and thereby become the means of transmitting electromagnetic radiation through space. The aether is essentially treated as a virtually incompressible fluid in which the pressure at any point arises from both random (temperature) and bulk (high ) motions. A number of specific predictions arising from this theory of gravity are indicated and these may serve to discriminate it from general relativity.