The Prediction of Gravitational Waves in 1893

Thierry De Mees, Aug. 2014

In this paper, we will discover that the first prediction of gravitational waves has explicitly been made by Oliver Heaviside in 1893, and not by Einstein in 1916. Moreover, Heaviside has based this prediction upon the analogy between electromagnetism and gravitation, an analogy which had been reiterated by Einstein in his 1916 paper “Näherungsweise Integration der Feldgleichungen der Gravitation ”, without any justification, nor reference to Heaviside.

Keywords: Heaviside, gravitomagnetism, gravity, Einstein, electromagnetism, relativity

1. The Einstein paper of 1916 [3] Moreover, Einstein recognized that he used the retarded potential , this is, the potential at a The establishment considers that the first distance caused by the retardation of light, due time that gravitational waves were predicted to its finite velocity, as being an equivalent to was by Einstein in his paper “Näherungsweise the potential that follows out of the relativity Integration der Feldgleichungen der Gravitation ” or principle . in English: “ Approximative Integration of the Field Equations of Gravitation ”. This paper attempts to Although this matter isn’t directly the find the equations for gravitational waves. I subject of this paper, it is evident that this is a will emphasize several steps that were taken. very precipitous and suspicious equivalence.

The first step is the linearization of the As a matter of fact, also in his former paper, General Relativity theory. “Die Grundlage der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie ” (“ The Foundation of the General Einstein writes: “We can say that this γ can µν Theory of Relativity ”) [5], Einstein refers be calculated in an analogous manner as the specifically to the analogy of GR with the retarded potential in electrodynamics. From that Maxwell equations in eq. (61) and further. follows that the gravity fields spread with the speed of light. ” This raises the question if Einstein didn’t just produce the non-linear Relativity Theory There are no references added in his paper, because he was unable to conciliate the classical and no justification is given to extend the Maxwell analogy with the double bending of propagation of electromagnetic fields to gravity the light rays and the unexplained perihelion fields. In other words, Einstein associated advance of Mercury! automatically both theories, and admitted to a high level the validity of the Maxwell analogy It is however clear from Vankov’s paper [11] applied to gravity. Moreover, Einstein explicitly that the unexplained perihelion advance of stated that the velocity of propagation of Mercury is indeed a false claim from Einstein’s gravity equals the velocity of light, however theory anyway, because the calculus doesn’t fit. without any reference nor justification.

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Aug. 2014 The Prediction of Gravitational Waves in 1893

But let us go back to the essence of this In the second part of this paper, Heaviside paper, the evidence that the prediction of the calculates the influence of the motion of the Sun gravitational waves has been made in 1893, by in the aether upon the Earth for a given Oliver Heaviside. velocity, and finds numerous orbit perturbations. 2. The Heaviside paper of 1893 [6] He then states that if the perturbations are In his paper of 1893, “ A Gravitational and found to be very small by observation, it is very Electromagnetic analogy ” [6], Heaviside doesn’t probable that the velocity of propagation equals just define that electromagnetism and gravity the velocity of light. are similar or analog. He wants to get there step by step. 3. Conclusions In his paper, Heaviside firstly attempts to There is absolutely no doubt that the localize the gravitational energy, like the presumption and prediction for gravitational electric and the magnetic energies have been waves has been made upon a physically localized by Maxwell. Since the intensity thoughtful way by Oliver Heaviside in 1893. gravity will decrease with the square of the The so-called first prediction from Einstein, distance, one can find the equation for the as pretended by the establishment is absolutely gravitational potential. false. The objection could be made that Then Heaviside applies the law of Heaviside’s gravitation theory is not the correct conservation of total energy, whereby potential one. However, it is now proven by Vankov that energy can result in a gain of kinetic energy, the GR theory doesn’t correctly reflect causing an inertia momentum. Mercury’s unexplained perihelion advance.

In analogy with electromagnetism, matter at On the other hand, it has meanwhile been a velocity u causes a circuital flux, which is proven that both the double value of the analogous to a convective current of bending of light and Mercury’s unexplained electrification and can define the rotation of a perihelion advance follow from Heaviside’s vector, which is the equivalent of magnetism in gravitation theory [1]. The latter deduction is electrodynamics. using the gravitational magnetic-like effect due to the velocity of the Sun in the Milky Way. If Heaviside considers that, hypothetically, Alternatively, other authors find the correct the velocity of propagation is not infinite, he perihelion advance out of the retarded values of can also find a second circuital law, where the gravity potential due to the limited velocity circuital gravity can be created by a fluctuating of field propagation. magnetic-like field, without the need for matter at that very location. 4. References

This completes the set of Maxwell-like 1. De Mees, T., “Did Einstein cheat ? or, How equations, where Heaviside can define a wave Einstein solved the Maxwell Analogy equation for gravity, based upon the physical problem”, 2004. constants related to each of the circuital laws, of 2. De Mees, T., “Analytic Description of which one is the ‘universal’ gravity constant. Cosmic Phenomena Using the Heaviside Field”, Physics Essays, 2005.

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Aug. 2014 The Prediction of Gravitational Waves in 1893

3. Einstein, A., “Näherungsweise Integration 7. Heaviside, O., “Electrical Papers”, Vol I and der Feldgleichungen der Gravitation”, II, MacMillan and Co., 1894. Sitzung der phsikalisch-mathematischen 8. Heaviside, O., “Electromagnetic Theory”, Vol Klasse, 1916. I, The Electrician, 1893. 4. Einstein, A., “Über Gravitationswellen”, 9. Heaviside, O., “Electromagnetic Theory”, Vol Gesamtsitzung, 1918. II, The Electrician, 1899. 5. Einstein, A., “Die Grundlagen der 10. Heaviside, O., “Electromagnetic Theory”, allgemeiner Relativitätstheorie”, Annalen Vol III, The Electrician, 1912. der Physik, 1916. 11. Vankov, A., “Einstein’s Paper: “Explanation 6. Heaviside, O., “A Gravitational and of the Perihelion Motion of Mercury from Electromagnetic Analogy”, The Electrician, General Relativity Theory””, Undated. 1893.

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