A note on the Feynman lectures on gravitation
Abstract
Abstract Following Feynman’s lectures on gravitation, we consider the theory of the gravitational (massless spin-2) field in flat spacetime and present the third- and fourth-order Lagrangian densities for the gravitational field. In particular, we present detailed calculations for the third-order Lagrangian density. We point out that the expression for the third-order Lagrangian density which Feynman provided is not a solution of Feynman’s condition that the third-order Lagrangian density must satisfy. However, Feynman’s third-order Lagrangian density gives the correct perihelion shift.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physica Scripta
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Volume
- 101
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 071501–071501
- Publication date
- 3 February 2026
- Language
- EN