DOCS.
368,
369 AUGUST
1917 365
that
generates
few
gravitational
masses (Newton’s case). According
to
Newton,
the
number
of
lines
of
force sent forth
by
this
space
into
infinity depends only
on
the total
mass
of
the
bodies, according
to
the
results
of
the
special
theory
of
relativity,
therefore
from the total
energy. Now,
it
seems
to
me
beyond
doubt
that
(in
the static
case)
the
field
at
infinity
must be
fully
determined
by
the
energy
of
the
mass
and
of
the
gravitational
field
together.
This fits with
my
interpretation
of
the
tov’s,
as
you can easily prove
from
my
field
equations
in mixed
form.[9]
If
you
like,
I shall be
glad
to
present any
of
these
points
in
more
detail
than
has
been
done here. I have
no
supporting
literature with
me.
With
cordial
regards,
I
am
yours,
A.
Einstein
cur[rently]
16A
Bramberg St.,
Lucerne.
369.
To Hans
Thirring
Lucerne,
16A Bramberg
St., 2
August 1917
Dear
Colleague,
Thank
you
for
your
kind and
interesting letter,[1]
which
was
forwarded to
me
here. To
your
example
of
the
hollow
sphere
it must
just
be added that, aside
from
the
centrifugal
field,
whose axial
components you
interpreted
so nicely, a
Coriolis
field
also
results
which
corresponds
to
the
components
g41, g42, g43
of
the
potential
and
is
proportional
to the first
power
of
w.[2]
This
field
has
a
vertically
repulsive
influence
on moving masses,
and in
the
Foucault
experiment,
for
ex.,
causes
a
rotation of the
pendulum plane.
I have calculated
this
trailing
rotation
for
the
Earth;
it remains far below
any
observable
quantity.
This Coriolis
field is
also
produced by
the
rotation
of
the
Sun and
Jupiter
and
causes
secular
changes
in
the
orbital
paths
of
the
planets
(or moons)
which, however,
remain far below
the
margin
of
error.[3] All
in
all,
the
perihelion
motion
of
Mercury
seems
to
be
the
only
case
within the
field
of celestial mechanics where deviations from
classical
theory
are perceptible
nowadays.
Nevertheless,
the
Coriolis
fields
still
seem more
accessible
to
observation
than
your
supplementary
terms to
g44,
because
the latter
influences have
the
same
symmetry
properties
as
field
distortion
from
oblateness.[4]
With best
wishes for
the
holidays
and for
success
in
your work,
I
am
with
best
regards, yours
truly,
A.
Einstein.