Time evolution in the presence of gravity

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel interpretation of time evolution in gravitational systems using a nonlinear gauge approach, introducing an internal-time concept linked to symmetry breaking, and demonstrates how nontrivial evolution emerges with gravity.

Contribution

It introduces an internal-time framework based on nonlinear gauge symmetry breaking, providing a new perspective on canonical time evolution in gravitational contexts.

Findings

Time evolution is linked to breaking of internal symmetry.

Nontrivial evolution arises in the presence of gravity.

Special relativity is recovered when gravity is absent.

Abstract

We present a suggestion on the interpretation of canonical time evolution when gravitation is present, based on the nonlinear gauge approach to gravity. Essentially, our proposal consists of an internal-time concept, with the time variable taken from the dynamical fields characteristic of the nonlinear realization of the internal time-translational symmetry. Physical time evolution requires the latter symmetry to be broken. After disregarding other breaking mechanisms, we appeal to the Jordan-Brans-Dicke action, conveniently interpreted, to achieve that goal. We show that nontrivial time evolution follows, the special relativistic limit being recovered in the absence of gravity.