Brans–Dicke theory

E703697

Brans–Dicke theory is an alternative theory of gravitation to Einstein’s general relativity that introduces a scalar field to allow for a varying gravitational “constant.”

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Statements (45)

Predicate Object
instanceOf alternative theory of gravity
metric theory of gravitation
scalar–tensor theory of gravitation
allows varying gravitational constant
assumes Lorentzian spacetime metric
minimal coupling of matter to metric
belongsTo class of Jordan–Fierz–Brans–Dicke theories
constrainedBy Cassini spacecraft measurements NERFINISHED
solar system experiments
generalizes Jordan’s scalar–tensor theory NERFINISHED
hasAuthor Carl H. Brans NERFINISHED
Robert H. Dicke NERFINISHED
hasField cosmology
gravitational physics
theoretical physics
hasLagrangianDensity L ∝ √(-g)(φR - ω φ^{-1} ∂_μφ ∂^μφ + L_m)
hasMathematicalStructure metric tensor plus scalar field
hasOriginalPaperTitle “Mach’s Principle and a Relativistic Theory of Gravitation” NERFINISHED
hasParameter Brans–Dicke coupling constant
hasParameterSymbol ω
hasPostNewtonianParameter γ
influenced inflationary cosmology models
modern scalar–tensor dark energy models
introduces scalar field
isCompatibleWith local conservation of energy–momentum
isFormulatedIn four-dimensional spacetime
isTestedBy binary pulsar observations
cosmological observations
modifies Einstein’s general relativity NERFINISHED
namedAfter Carl H. Brans NERFINISHED
Robert H. Dicke NERFINISHED
obeys Mach’s principle approximately
predicts deviations from general relativity in weak-field tests
time variation of effective Newton’s constant
publicationYear 1961
publishedInJournal Physical Review NERFINISHED
reducesTo general relativity in a certain limit
reducesToGeneralRelativityWhen ω → ∞
relatesParameterGammaToOmega γ = (1 + ω)/(2 + ω)
satisfies weak equivalence principle
treats gravitational constant as dynamical field
uses Einstein frame metric NERFINISHED
Jordan frame metric NERFINISHED
wasMotivatedBy Dirac’s large number hypothesis NERFINISHED
Mach’s principle NERFINISHED

Referenced by (1)

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Robert H. Dicke notableWork Brans–Dicke theory