The Maximum Tension Principle in General Relativity

TL;DR

This paper proposes a maximal tension principle in four-dimensional general relativity, suggesting a universal maximum tension value related to fundamental constants, and explores its connections to string theory and other maximal principles.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a maximal tension in general relativity and relates it to string theory, providing a classical relation between fundamental constants without involving Planck's constant.

Findings

Maximal tension in GR is proposed as c^4 / 4G.

The maximal tension relates to string theory tension and classical constants.

A classical relation between G, c, and string coupling is derived.

Abstract

I suggest that classical General Relativity in four spacetime dimensions incorporates a Principal of Maximal Tension and give arguments to show that the value of the maximal tension is $c^4 \over 4 G$. The relation of this principle to other, possibly deeper, maximal principles is discussed, in particular the relation to the tension in string theory. In that case it leads to a purely classical relation between $G$ and the classical string coupling constant $\alpha ^\prime$ and the velocity of light $c$ which does not involve Planck's constant.