7,262 research outputs found
Interacting vector fields in Relativity without Relativity
Barbour, Foster and \'{O} Murchadha have recently developed a new framework,
called here {\it{the 3-space approach}}, for the formulation of classical
bosonic dynamics. Neither time nor a locally Minkowskian structure of spacetime
are presupposed. Both arise as emergent features of the world from
geodesic-type dynamics on a space of 3-dimensional metric--matter
configurations. In fact gravity, the universal light cone and Abelian gauge
theory minimally coupled to gravity all arise naturally through a single common
mechanism. It yields relativity -- and more -- without presupposing relativity.
This paper completes the recovery of the presently known bosonic sector within
the 3-space approach. We show, for a rather general ansatz, that 3-vector
fields can interact among themselves only as Yang--Mills fields minimally
coupled to gravity.Comment: Replaced with final version accepted by Classical and Quantum Gravity
(14 pages, no figures
The Causal Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics and The Singularity Problem in Quantum Cosmology
We apply the causal interpretation of quantum mechanics to homogeneous
quantum cosmology and show that the quantum theory is independent of any
time-gauge choice and there is no issue of time. We exemplify this result by
studying a particular minisuperspace model where the quantum potential driven
by a prescribed quantum state prevents the formation of the classical
singularity, independently on the choice of the lapse function. This means that
the fast-slow-time gauge conjecture is irrelevant within the framework of the
causal interpretation of quantum cosmology.Comment: 18 pages, LaTe
Towards the Unification of Gravity and other Interactions: What has been Missed?
Faced with the persisting problem of the unification of gravity with other
fundamental interactions we investigate the possibility of a new paradigm,
according to which the basic space of physics is a multidimensional space
associated with matter configurations. We consider general
relativity in . In spacetime, which is a 4-dimensional subspace of
, we have not only the 4-dimensional gravity, but also other
interactions, just as in Kaluza-Klein theories. We then consider a finite
dimensional description of extended objects in terms of the center of mass,
area, and volume degrees of freedom, which altogether form a 16-dimensional
manifold whose tangent space at any point is Clifford algebra Cl(1,3). The
latter algebra is very promising for the unification, and it provides
description of fermions.Comment: 11 pages; Talk presented at "First Mediterranean Conference on
Classical and Quantum Gravity", Kolymbari, Crete, Greece, 14-18 September
200
Universal transloader moves delicate equipment without stress
Transloader moves delicate or heavy items over irregular surfaces without transmitting stress to the load. The loader is supported on three pivot points which produce a wrap free base. The base is supported by an artificial four-wheel frame
The geometry of the Barbour-Bertotti theories I. The reduction process
The dynamics of interacting particles is investigated in the
non-relativistic context of the Barbour-Bertotti theories. The reduction
process on this constrained system yields a Lagrangian in the form of a
Riemannian line element. The involved metric, degenerate in the flat
configuration space, is the first fundamental form of the space of orbits of
translations and rotations (the Leibniz group). The Riemann tensor and the
scalar curvature are computed by a generalized Gauss formula in terms of the
vorticity tensors of generators of the rotations. The curvature scalar is
further given in terms of the principal moments of inertia of the system. Line
configurations are singular for . A comparison with similar methods in
molecular dynamics is traced.Comment: 15 pages, to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravit
Central limit approximations for Markov population processes with countably many types
When modelling metapopulation dynamics, the influence of a single patch on
the metapopulation depends on the number of individuals in the patch. Since
there is usually no obvious natural upper limit on the number of individuals in
a patch, this leads to systems in which there are countably infinitely many
possible types of entity. Analogous considerations apply in the transmission of
parasitic diseases. In this paper, we prove central limit theorems for quite
general systems of this kind, together with bounds on the rate of convergence
in an appropriately chosen weighted norm.Comment: 24 page
The geometry of the Barbour-Bertotti theories II. The three body problem
We present a geometric approach to the three-body problem in the
non-relativistic context of the Barbour-Bertotti theories. The Riemannian
metric characterizing the dynamics is analyzed in detail in terms of the
relative separations. Consequences of a conformal symmetry are exploited and
the sectional curvatures of geometrically preferred surfaces are computed. The
geodesic motions are integrated. Line configurations, which lead to curvature
singularities for , are investigated. None of the independent scalars
formed from the metric and curvature tensor diverges there.Comment: 16 pages, 2 eps figures, to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravit
The Definition of Mach's Principle
Two definitions of Mach's principle are proposed. Both are related to gauge
theory, are universal in scope and amount to formulations of causality that
take into account the relational nature of position, time, and size. One of
them leads directly to general relativity and may have relevance to the problem
of creating a quantum theory of gravity.Comment: To be published in Foundations of Physics as invited contribution to
Peter Mittelstaedt's 80th Birthday Festschrift. 30 page
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