The role of energy and a new approach to gravitational waves in general relativity (Q1581184)

The existence of gravitational waves is examined in the context of the energy localization hypothesis formulated some years ago by the author: ``The energy and momentum are localized in non-vanishing regions of the energy-momentum tensor''. It is shown that this hypothesis implies that gravitational waves do not carry energy in vacuum. The author proposes to differentiate between gravitational waves, which are propagating fields which do not carry energy, and gravitational radiation, which traditionally implies the transport of energy and hence, as a consequence of his hypothesis, does not exist (at least in vacuum). The support for the hypothesis is provided by a re-examination of Eddington's classic calculation of energy loss by a spinning rod. The author shows that Eddington did not consider the entire Tolman energy integral, concentrating solely upon the change in the kinetic part of the energy. This means that the quadrupole formula is a measure of the kinetic energy change. It is proven that the derivative of the missing stress-trace integral cancels the Eddington term and therefore the energy of the rod is conserved. The author suggests that the new view of gravitational waves as nonenergetic indicates a connection between information and energy if these waves can be considered as transmitting information. A possible re-evaluation of the quantization of gravity is also emphasized.