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Dynamics of extended bodies in general relativity center-of-mass description and quasirigidity

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Abstract

Dixon's approach to describe the dynamics of extended bodies in metric theories of gravity is elaborated. The exact, general relation between the center-of-mass 4-velocity and the 4-momentum is derived. Quasirigid bodies are defined, and their equations of motion are shown to be determinate for a given metric. Multipole approximations are considered, and the physical meaning of quasirigidity is investigated by establishing an approximate connection with continuum mechanics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Physik und Astrophysik, Föhringer Ring 6, 8000, München 40, West Germany

    Jürgen Ehlers & Ekkart Rudolph

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  1. Jürgen Ehlers
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  2. Ekkart Rudolph
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Ehlers, J., Rudolph, E. Dynamics of extended bodies in general relativity center-of-mass description and quasirigidity. Gen Relat Gravit 8, 197–217 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00763547

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