The General Theory of Matter

A view of gravity as a kinematic consequence of the expansion of matter in a fifth dimension is proposed. Unlike general relativity, where gravitational interaction is described by the geometry of spacetime, in this work the convergence of bodies is explained by their synchronous expansion at a common relative rate $\tau$. An observer, whose instruments expand along with matter, registers this expansion as an attractive force. In the limit of a rarefied medium, the model reproduces Newton's law and expresses the gravitational constant through fundamental parameters, yielding a value of $G$ close to the CODATA recommended value. Analysis of data for four bodies of the Solar System demonstrates the constancy of $\tau$. It is shown that the model quantitatively reproduces the observed deflection of light near the Sun ($1.75''$) with a discrepancy of less than $0.6\%$ (without considering the influence of the expansion of the Moon and Earth). A relationship between the rate of matter decompaction, its density, and the expansion rate of particles is obtained, reproducing the observed value of the Hubble constant. The work points to the physical cause of phenomena that are accepted as postulates in the standard theory.