Does anyone else question general relativity?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the bending of light rays as described by general relativity (GR) and questions the necessity of GR by proposing an alternative explanation involving light having a minuscule mass. The participant references the bending of light observed when it reaches Earth and compares this to the predictions made by Newtonian physics, noting that the latter yields only half the observed deflection. Additionally, the discussion mentions the precession of Mercury's orbit as a supporting experimental test for GR, emphasizing the robustness of GR against alternative theories.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity (GR) principles
  • Familiarity with Newtonian physics and gravitational equations
  • Basic knowledge of light behavior in gravitational fields
  • Awareness of experimental tests supporting GR, such as Mercury's orbit precession
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of light having mass on gravitational theories
  • Study the experimental evidence for light deflection in gravitational fields
  • Examine the mathematical formulations of Newtonian gravity versus general relativity
  • Explore the historical context and significance of the precession of Mercury's orbit
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone interested in the foundations and implications of general relativity and alternative gravitational theories.

vdawg
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My understanding of the proof goes like this

x -star
| --- light ray
|
| O -sun
|
o -earth

The light ray is seen to bend a tiny bit when it reaches earth.
My question is this. If we forgot about relativity and assumed the light had a tiny but finite mass (like 10^-100 kg), wouldn't the light bend by just about the same ammount? I tried to test it but I don't know if the gravity d equation can even be approximated.
 
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There are other experimental tests, like the precession of the orbit of mercury which support GR.

Doing the light deflection the Newtonian way - which is similar to your proposal - gives half the observed value.

Do some reading in the Wiki articles.
 

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