Variable Mass Theories of Gravity

TL;DR

This paper explores various theories of gravity where mass varies, analyzing their theoretical implications within Newtonian, Einsteinian, and scalar-tensor frameworks, and extending to a five-dimensional space-time-matter model.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of variable mass theories, including scalar-tensor and higher-dimensional models, expanding the understanding of mass variation in gravitational theories.

Findings

Variable mass impacts gravitational dynamics in Newtonian and Einsteinian frameworks.

Scalar-tensor theories relate mass variation to scalar fields.

A five-dimensional space-time-matter theory is proposed.

Abstract

Several attempts to construct theories of gravity with variable mass are considered. The theoretical impacts of allowing the rest mass to vary with respect to time or an appropriate curve parameter are examined in the framework of Newtonian and Einsteinian gravity theories. In further steps, scalar-tensor theories are examined with respect to their relation to the variation of the mass and in an ultimate step, an additional coordinate is introduced and its possible relation to the mass is examined, yielding a five dimensional space-time-matter theory.