Isaac Newton envisioned a static, infinite, and initially uniform, zero field universe that was gravitationally unstable to local condensations of matter. By postulating the existence of such a universe and using it as a boundary condition on Newtonian gravity, a new field equation for gravity is derived, which differs from the classical one by a time‐dependent cosmological term proportional to the average mass density of the universe. The new field equation not only makes Jeans’ analysis of the gravitational instability of a Newtonian universe consistent, but also gives rise to a family of Newtonian evolutionary cosmologies parametrized by a time‐invariant expansion velocity. This Newtonian cosmology contrasts with both 19th‐century ones and with post general relativity Newtonian cosmology.
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June 1988
June 01 1988
A Newtonian cosmology Newton would understand
Don S. Lemons
Don S. Lemons
Department of Physics, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas 67117
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Am. J. Phys. 56, 502–504 (1988)
Article history
Received:
April 17 1987
Accepted:
September 02 1987
Citation
Don S. Lemons; A Newtonian cosmology Newton would understand. Am. J. Phys. 1 June 1988; 56 (6): 502–504. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.15565
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