Reforming the Theory of Gravity

The intent of this paper is to introduce a new understanding of gravitational phenomena based upon the revolutionary concept of Variable Rest Mass. At the outset, it is postulated that at any particular location, all quantities of like dimensionality are affected by the action of gravity in precisely the same manner and to the same degree. Accordingly, the theory underlying the variability of all rest masses is provided by Niels Bohr’s theory of the hydrogen atom, in the light of which, it is obvious that the gravitational red shift is caused by the gravitational reduction of the electron rest mass. Likewise, the gravitational dilation of measuring rods, a phenomenon still unrecognized by today’s physicists, is also an obvious consequence of general rest mass reduction according to Bohr’s theory for the diameter of the hydrogen atom. Importantly, the concept of rest mass reduction enables a truly satisfying understanding of gravitational potential energy: the change in gravitational potential energy of a body is manifest in the body itself as a change in its rest mass energy. Thus, gravitating masses interact directly, undermining the status of the gravitational field as an energetic field entity. The introduction of a new (Fermat) metric correcting for clock slowing and measuring rod elongation proves that light does not couple to gravity. This metric also reveals the true structure of the black hole. Finally, the formulation of a cosmology that assumes homogeneity but also conserves momentum, is achieved by allowing rest masses to evolve exponentially according to the function presently thought to describe the expansion of the universe.