Geometrical theories of gravitation with short-range forces (Q917068)

The authors review two well-known geometrical theories of gravitation leading to modification of the Newtonian interaction with short-range forces. With a view to compare with general relativity (GR), the authors use a static, spherical symmetric star model with the weak-field limit corresponding to Newtonian definition. Field equations are assumed with the energy-momentum tensor, a combination of matter tensor and auxiliary fields satisfying the covariant conservation law. The authors conclude that neither the scalar-tensor nor the fourth-order theories of gravity agree with the GR, that the binding energy of a gravitating system may be attributed to the loss of energy in packing the matter under its own gravitational field. Finally, the authors suggest that their study may be used to elucidate the dynamical equivalence between Einstein's theory and a class of nonlinear theories of gravitation.