Einstein's 1912-1913 struggles with Gravitation Theory: Importance of Static Gravitational Fields Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores Einstein's early 1912 work on static gravitational fields, highlighting his struggles, corrections, and the development of limited covariant equations that prefigured his general theory of relativity.

Contribution

It reveals the historical progression of Einstein's ideas on static gravitational fields and his transition from initial formulations to the development of limited covariant equations before finalizing general relativity.

Findings

Einstein's 1912 work influenced his rejection of fully covariant equations.

He developed limited covariant field equations before finalizing general relativity.

Historical analysis clarifies Einstein's conceptual evolution in gravitation theory.

Abstract

In December 1911, Max Abraham published a paper on gravitation at the basis of which was Albert Einstein's 1911 June conclusion about a relationship between the velocity of light and the gravitational potential. In February 1912, Einstein published his work on static gravitational fields, which was based on his 1911 June theory. In March 1912, Einstein corrected his paper, but Abraham claimed that Einstein borrowed his equations; however, it was actually Abraham who needed Einstein's ideas and not the other way round. Einstein thought that Abraham converted to his theory of static fields while Abraham presumed exactly the opposite. Einstein then moved to Zurich and switched to new mathematical tools. He examined various candidates for generally covariant field equations, and already considered the field equations of his general theory of relativity about three years before he published them in November 1915. However, he discarded these equations only to return to them more than three years later. Einstein's 1912 theory of static fields finally led him to reject the generally covariant field equations and to develop limited generally covariant field equations.