Phase Potential Gravity: One Phase Potential, Three Measurement Windows

Phase Potential Gravity: One Phase Potential, Three Measurement Windows This paper introduces the core weak-field skeleton of the Phase Potential Series within R-theory. A single dimensionless phase potential ψ(r) = Φ(r)/c² is taken as primary and shown to reproduce three classical gravity observables as different measurement windows on the same field: (1) gravitational redshift (clock slowing), (2) free fall of matter, and (3) light propagation (deflection and Shapiro-type delay). The approach deliberately reverses the usual geometric logic of General Relativity: rather than starting from spacetime curvature, geometry is treated as an effective bookkeeping of non-uniform phase conditions. In the weak-field regime, the classic Solar System tests emerge consistently from one compact object ψ. This first paper is intentionally minimal and non-covariant. It establishes empirical consistency and a clear operational language (“one ψ, many tests”) without yet introducing an action principle or field dynamics. Series context: • Paper 2 embeds this skeleton covariantly via an effective metric and an action principle. • Paper 3 defines where and how the framework may deviate from GR and how such deviations can be tested. • Paper 4 adds quantum interference as an additional measurement window on ψ.