On the Astronomical readings in conjunction with Einstein’s special relativity
theory using Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and Universal Gravitation.
Emmanuel Adeyemi Adesanya
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study involves the astronomical readings of the velocity of the earth and the mass of the sun
using Sir Isaac Newton’s universal law of gravitation formula and the disproval of Albert
Einstein’s special relativity theory. The first law of motion dealing with inertia and its
connection with the gravitational field intensity of a body as well as the free fall principle. The
readings gotten by application of Newton’s gravitational formula to disprove the average
distance value gotten between the sun and the earth by space administrations.
1. INTRODUCTION
In 1905 Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity which dealt with the speed of
light being the speed limit or the ultimate speed which all matter in the universe can achieve and
the mass of a body increases as the speed of the body increases. The theory also dealt with the
time dilation observed by a body in motion as well the length contraction which talks about the
length of an object being observed to become shorter as it increases its speed(velocity). The time
dilation talks about the time of any body in motion being relative. The experiment which was
conducted by Albert Michelson and Edward Morley in order to disprove the existence of a
material medium which light was propagated through led to Einstein’s special relativity theory.
The ether which was disproved to exist by the experiment of Michelson and Morley was based
on a stationary ether which was developed by Hendrick Lorentz. James Clerk Maxwell in 1878
claimed that the speed of light was of a value approximately 3×10 8m/s and this speed was
constant in vacuum. The Lorentz transformations were the equations used to prove the concepts
and claims of relativity. The Lorentz factor
1
γ=
√ 1−
v2 .
c
2
Einstein made two postulates in his special relativity theory from the equations of Lorentz, the
experiments of Albert Michelson and Edward Morley which gave a null result for the detection
of the stationary ether and also the belief of Maxwell’s experiments that the speed of light is
constant. The postulates which were made by Einstein were
1. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial systems. There is no way to detect
absolute motion and no preferred inertial system exists.
2. The speed of light is constant and observers in all inertial systems measure the same
value for the speed of light in a vacuum.
The astronomical unit used by space administrations today accept the value of the average
distance between the earth and the sun to be 1.5×10 11 m, that is 1 astronomical unit=1.5×1011 m.
This value is in support of Einstein’s claim that Newton’s mechanics (classical mechanics) is
only applicable for bodies with speeds far lower than that of the speed of light. However, the
discoveries made by the derivation of a formula relating the velocity of a planet as it revolves
around the sun to its gravitational field intensity and its time for it to make 1 revolution about the
sun from Sir Isaac Newton’s law of universal gravitation proves Albert Einstein wrong. Using
the formula V=2 πr /t from Newton’s laws if the astronomical unit of value 1.5×10 11m was used
as r and time (t) being 365days converted to seconds the value of the velocity of the earth will be
approximately 3×104m/s. This value of the velocity of the earth would agree with Einstein’s
special relativity theory. Using Sir Isaac Newton’s law of universal gravitation, the velocity of
the earth is calculated to be approximately 5×10 7m/s, the mass of the sun being 9×10 39kg
approximately and the average distance between the sun and the earth being 2.5×10 14m
approximately.
The special relativity theory by Einstein is said to be valid for bodies with uniform speeds that is
(a field which bodies do not accelerate) but according to Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of universal
gravitation the propositions made by Einstein in his theory were proven wrong. Sir Isaac Newton
claimed that the force which the sun uses to make planets revolve around it was equal to the
force which causes the planets to stay in their orbit which is the free-fall principle thus
supporting his claim that time is absolute regardless of the frame of reference except if the frame
of reference is responsible for the motion of the body in motion.
2.PROBLEM FORMULATION
Sir Isaac Newton’s law of Universal Gravitation
GMm
F= 2 (1)
Γ
G M s me
F se= 2
Γ sⅇ
(2)
Consider two bodies such as the sun and the earth, the sun uses its gravitational pull to make
planets revolve around with a uniform velocity around it.
Ms= mass of the sun
me= mass of the earth
ve= velocity of the earth
G = Universal Gravitational Constant =6.67×10-11Nm2/kg2.
Sir Isaac Newton’s Law of Centripetal Motion
2
mv
F=
Γ
(3)
2
me v e
F se=
Γ se
(4)
Sir Isaac Newton’s second law of motion
F=ma (5)
Newton’s Free-Fall Principle
F= ma=mg
(6)
⸫a=g
(7)
GMm
F= 2
Γ
G M s me
F se= 2
Γ sⅇ
2
me v e
F se=
Γ se
rse = the average(mean) distance between the sun and the earth
F se=me ge =me a e
(8)
2
G M s me me v e
F se= 2
=
Γ sⅇ Γ se
(9)
2 G Ms
V e=
Γ se
(10)
∴ V e=
√ G Ms
Γ se
(11)
Relating Free fall Principle to law Newton’s law of universal gravitation
G M s me
F se= 2
=me ae
Γ sⅇ
(12)
G Ms
∴ ae = 2 (13)
Γ sⅇ
To derive the relation between angular velocity and displacement with respect to time.
Angular velocity(w) = angle turned through(Ɵ)/elapsed time(t)
The earth revolves around the sun 360˚=2π
1 revolution in radians
360˚=2π=Ɵ
2π
w=
t
(14)
θ
Length of arc = ×2 πr
360
(15)
Length of arc is also referred to as angular distance travelled(S)
since Ɵ =2π=360˚
r is the distance between the body in motion and the body at rest
θ
S= ×2 π r
360
(16)
360
S= ×2 πr
360
S=2 πr (17)
S
2π=
r
(18)
Putting 2π=S/r into w=2π/t
2π
w=
t
1
¿2π ×
t
S 1
w= ×
r t
(19)
s 1
w= × (20)
t Γ
velocity(v) of a body is displacement over time
s
v= (21)
t
s 1
w= ×
t Γ
(22)
1
w=v ×
Γ
(23)
∴ v =wr
(24)
2π
Since w=
t
2π
v= ×r
t
2 πr
∴v=
t
(25)
Relating this formula v=2πr/t to the gravitational attraction formula between the sun and the
earth
2 π Γ se
Ve¿
te
(26)
te is the time for the earth to make 1 revolution around the sun
te =365 days
te =365 × 24 hours
te = 8760 hours
te = 8760× 3600seconds
∴ te = 31536000seconds.
Now applying the accepted distance between the sun and the earth by space administrations r se =
1.5× 1011m.
2 π Γ se
Ve¿
te
11
2 π ×1.5 ×10
=
31536000
11
9.425 ×10
=
31536000
= 2.989× 104m/s.
= 3× 104m/s or 30km/s approximately.
Relating Newton’s second law of motion to the law of centripetal motion
2
me v e
F se= =me a e
Γ se
(27)
2
me v e
me ae =
Γ se
(28)
2
Ve
∴ ae = (29)
Γe
2
Ve
Now inserting the velocity (ve) of the earth calculated, into the formula a e =
Γe
2
( 2.989 ×10 4 )
∴ ae = 11
1.5× 10
= 5.96×10 3m/s2.
= 6×10-3m/s2 approximately.
The gravity of the earth (g e) is 9.81m/s2 or 10m/s2 approximately. According to free-fall principle
ae=ge , but ae according to the value gotten from the distance between the sun and the earth
11 -3 2
1.5 ×10 m is approximately 6×10 m/s and is not equal to the gravity of the earth.
a e ≠ ge
6×10-3m/s2≠ 10m/s2
This value of the acceleration of the earth 6 ×10-3m/s2 does not agree with the free-fall principle
thus it would imply that the planets revolve around the sun on their own and not with respect to
the gravitational pull of the sun as stated by Sir Isaac Newton.
3.METHOD OF SOLUTION
In order to find what the actual value of the average (mean) distance between the earth and the
sun is, a resolution is made using Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation and free-fall principle.
G M s me
F se= 2
Γ sⅇ
2
me v e
F se=
Γ se
2 π Γ se
v e=
te
2 G Ms
V e=
Γ se
G Ms
a e= 2
=¿ge
Γ sⅇ
Using formula (26)
2 π Γ se
v e=
te
From formula (10)
2 G Ms
V e=
Γ se
G Ms
Γ se= 2
ve
(30)
G Ms
Putting Γ se= 2 into formula (26)
ve
2 π Γ se
v e=
te
2π
v e= × Γ se
te
2π G Ms
v e= × 2
te ve
Ve3×te = 2πGMs
2 πGM s
∴ t e= 3
ve
(31)
Using Eq. (26)
2 π Γ se
v e=
te
Squaring Eq. (26)
2 ( 2 π )2 Γ 2sⅇ
V =
e 2
te
2 2
2 4 π Γ sⅇ
V =
e 2
te
2 2
2 4 π Γ sⅇ 1
V e= ×
te te
(32)
2 πGMs
Since t e= 3
ve
3
1 ve
=
te 2 πGMs
(33)
3 2 2
1 ve 2 4 π Γ sⅇ 1
Putting = into V e = ×
t e 2 πGMs te te
2 2
2 4 π Γ sⅇ 1
V e= ×
te te
2 2 3
2 4 π Γ sⅇ ve
V =
e ×
te 2 πGMs
2
t e ×GMs=2 π Γ sⅇ × v e
GMs
t e× 2
=2 π ×v e
Γ sⅇ
G Ms
Knowing a e = 2
=¿ge from Eq. (13)
Γ sⅇ
t e × g e=2 π × v e
g e ×t e
∴ ve= (34)
2π
g ×t
∴v= (35)
2π
g e=¿9.81m/s2 , t e=¿31536000seconds(s)
Relating this formula v=gt/2π to the gravitational attraction formula between the sun and the
earth
ge×t e
v e=
2π
9.81× 31536000
¿
2π
309368160
¿
2π
7
∴ v e =4.92× 10 m/s
7
∴ v e =5 ×10 m/ s approximately
By applying the principle of free fall we now have the value of the velocity of the earth to be
g×t
4.92×107m/s or 5×107m/s approximately. Having the formula v= derived from Sir Isaac
2π
Newton’s universal law of gravitation we can thus derive the formula relating the gravity and the
period of revolution of a planet around the sun to the mass of the sun.
gravity ( g ) × time for 1 revolution ( t )
velocity ( v ) =
2π
ge×t e
v e=
2π
2 πGMs
From t e= 3
ve
ge×t e
Cube of v e=
2π
3 3
3 ge t e
v= e 3
(2 π )
3 3
ge t e 2 πGMs
into t e=
3
Putting v =
e 3 3
(2 π ) ve
2 πGMs
t e= 3
ve
3 2 πGMs
ve=
te
3 3
ge t e 2 πGMs
3
=
(2 π ) te
3 4 4
ge ×t e = ( 2 π ) GMs
3 4
ge t e
∴ Ms= 4
(2 π ) G
3 4
ge t e
∴ Ms= 4
16 π G
(36)
( 9.81 )3 × ( 31536000 )4
¿
16 π 4 ×6.67 ×10−11
39
∴ Ms=8.98 ×10 kg .
39
¿ 9 ×10 kg approximately .
From Eq.(13)
GMs
ge = 2
Γ sⅇ
2 G Ms
Γ sⅇ = (37)
ge
−11 39
6.67 ×10 × 8.98 ×10
¿
9.81
2 28
Γ sⅇ=6.106 ×10
Γ se= √ 6.106 ×10 28
14
¿ 2.47 ×10 m .
14
∴ Γ se =2.5 ×10 m approximately .
4.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results obtained show that the average(mean) distance between the earth and the sun is 2.5
14 7
×10 m while the velocity of the earth is 5× 10 m/s using Sir Isaac Newton’s free-fall principle.
Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity stated that as the speed(velocity) of a body increases
the mass of the body also increases using the formula
m0
m=
√ (38)
2
v
1− 2
C
√
the Lorentz factor(γ )= 1−
v2
C
2
(39)
c= the speed of light , m=mass of the body in motion , m 0=mass of the body at rest , me=mass of
the earth
me=6.02×1024kg , c=3×108m/s
m0= me
m0
m=
√ 1−
v2
C2
24
6.02× 10
¿
√ 1−¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
6.02 ×10 24
¿
√1−0.027777777
24
∴ m=6.11× 10 kg .
Therefore the mass of the earth as it revolves around the sun is 6.11 ×10 24 kg according to special
relativity. The mass of the earth does not increase as the earth revolves around the sun therefore
special relativity is incorrect.
The special relativity theory also states that as the speed of a body increases the time required to
finish its event increases this is known to be time dilation.
∆ t0
∆ t=
(40)
√ 1−
v2
C2
∆ t e=∆ t 0
t e =∆ t e =31536000 sec
31536000
∆ t=
√ 1−¿ ¿ ¿ ¿
∴ ∆ t=31983341.49 secs .
The time for the body to finish 1 revolution does not increase therefore the special relativity is
incorrect. The theory of special relativity claims that only the mass of the body in motion
increases but applying Sir Isaac Newton’s law of universal gravitation, the theory of special
relativity is violated.
3 4
ge t e
Ms= 4
16 π G
( 9.81 )3 × ( 31983341.49 )4
Ms=
16 π 4 ×6.67 × 10−11
39
¿ 9.5 ×10 kg .
The mass of the sun is said to increase as the mass of the earth increases which would contradict
and thus violate Einstein’s special relativity theory.
The results show that Albert Einstein’s claim that Sir Isaac Newton’s laws only apply to very
low speeds is wrong because as we have seen Newton’s laws are valid for speeds very close to
the speed of light. The results show that the speed of light is not the ultimate speed for all bodies
in the universe. The results show the value of the average distance between the sun and the earth
accepted by space administrations is incorrect as well as the mass of the sun. The value 2.5 ×
1014m as the average distance between the sun and the earth is in agreement with the freefall
principle and newton’s law thus proving it correct.
5.CONCLUSION
Finding that the distance between the sun and the earth to be 2.5 ×1014m proves the freefall
g×t
principle and that the velocity of the earth is 5×107m/s not 3×104m/s. The formula v=
2π
proves that Sir Isaac Newton’s laws are valid for speeds close to that of light, it proves the mass
of a body at rest and in motion remain the same. The results have shown that Sir Isaac Newton’s
laws are applicable to speeds slower, faster and equal to the speed of light.
Nomenclature
Ms mass of the sun
me mass of the earth
g gravitational field intensity
ge gravitational field intensity of the earth
ve velocity of the earth
rse distance between earth and the sun
te time for the earth to make 1 revolution around the sun
ae acceleration of the earth
mo mass of the body at rest
m mass of the body in motion
to time of body at rest
t time of body in motion
REFERENCES
1) M.Nelkon & P.Parker Advanced Level Physics Third Edition Newton’s Law of
Gravitation pg 58-63.
2) M.Nelkon Principles of Physics for Senior Secondary Schools Force ,Mass and
Acceleration.
3) Physics for Scientists and Engineers Ninth Edition by Serwatt and Jeweet, Relativity pg
1193-1201.
Contact no: 08127356737
