Mass and Machian General Relativity

TL;DR

This paper explores a 5D extension of general relativity inspired by Mach's principle, proposing a scalar field-based definition of mass that unifies local and global matter effects, leading to testable predictions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 5D framework where particle mass is defined via a scalar field, integrating Mach's principle into general relativity with new testable effects.

Findings

Embedding of general relativity in 5D space-time-matter theory

A scalar potential as an inertial field influencing mass

Predicted effects that can be empirically tested

Abstract

Mach's Principle is usually taken to mean that the mass of a particle as measured locally is determined in some way by the other matter in the universe. This is difficult to formalize in 4D,but is feasible in 5D if the scalar potential of non-compactified Kaluza-Klein theory is interpreted as an inertial field. We therefore review 5D space-time-matter theory, but take the local particle mass to be defined by the integral of a global scalar field. This approach smoothly embeds general relativity, and leads to several new effects which can be tested.