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An impact model of Newton’s law of gravitation

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Abstract

The far-reaching gravitational force—in the approximation of Newton’s law of gravitation—is described by a heuristic model with hypothetical massless particles propagating at the speed of light in vacuum and transferring momentum and energy between physical entities through interactions on a local basis. The model has some similarities with the impact theory presented by Nicolas Fatio de Duillier to the Royal Society in 1690. Objections raised against this idea are dispelled by invoking the Special Theory of Relativity, considering non-local interactions, and replacing the shielding concept by a secular mass increase of massive bodies. Some consequences and applications of the model are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

We thank an anonymous referee for constructive comments, and Eckart Marsch, Harry Kohl, Luca Teriaca, Werner Curdt, and Bernd Inhester for many discussions on these topics. Their critical comments have been very helpful in formulating our ideas. This research has made extensive use of the Astrophysics Data System (ADS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung (MPS), 37191, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

    Klaus Wilhelm

  2. Cephalos Gesellschaft für Automatisierung mbH, Deichstr. 5, 26871, Papenburg, Germany

    Horst Wilhelm

  3. Dept. of Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, 221005, India

    Bhola N. Dwivedi

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  1. Klaus Wilhelm
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Correspondence to Bhola N. Dwivedi.

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Wilhelm, K., Wilhelm, H. & Dwivedi, B.N. An impact model of Newton’s law of gravitation. Astrophys Space Sci 343, 135–144 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-012-1206-3

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