Abstract
It is shown that under certain assumptions the Einstein-Cartan field equations are not unique but may reasonably be modified to a degree. These modified Einstein-Cartan equations are proven to be unique under quite general conditions and are likely the most general equations in any metric-torsion gravitational theory whose field equations are derivable from a variational principle and such that their geometric part is independent of constants other than the speed of light and the gravitational constant.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aldersley, S. J. (1976). “The Einstein-Cartan Theory and the Role of Torsion in Gravitation,” Master's Thesis (unpublished). Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo.
Aldersley, S. J. (1977).Phys. Rev. D.,15, 370.
Hehl, F. W. (1973).Gen. Rel. Grav.,4, 333.
Hehl, F. W. (1974).Gen. Rel. Grav.,5, 491.
Horndeski, G. W. (1976).Utilitas Mathematica,9, 3.
Misner, C. W., Thorne, K. S., and Wheeler, J. A. (1973).Gravitation (Freeman, San Francisco).
Trautman, A. (1972).Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci., Ser. Sci. Math. Astron. Phys.,20, 185, 503, 895;21, 345.
von der Heyde, P. (1975).Phys. Lett.,51A, 381.
von der Heyde, P. (1976).Phys. Lett.,58A, 141.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aldersley, S.J. Metric-torsion gravitational theories. Gen Relat Gravit 8, 397–409 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00765931
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00765931