The Gravitational Red-Shift

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the gravitational red-shift can be derived without general relativity, questioning its role as a definitive test of Einstein's theory.

Contribution

It shows that the gravitational red-shift formula does not necessarily rely on general relativity, challenging its status as a crucial experimental verification.

Findings

Red-shift derivation independent of general relativity

Questions the validity of using gravitational red-shift as a test of the theory

Suggests alternative explanations for observed red-shift phenomena

Abstract

Attention is drawn to the fact that the well-known expression for the red-shift of spectral lines due to a gravitational field may be derived with no recourse to the theory of general relativity. This raises grave doubts over the inclusion of the measurement of this gravitational red-shift in the list of crucial tests of the theory of general relativity.