General Relativity and the Zero Point Energy

An exploration is made of the stochastic electrodynamic (SED) interpretation of mass and gravity. On this approach, gravity has been shown to originate in the attractive secondary electromagnetic fields emitted by charged point particles jostled by the impacting waves of the Zero Point Energy (ZPE). This exploration finds that the four major predictions of General Relativity can be readily reproduced using the ZPE approach. This is possible since the attractive secondary fields locally increase the strength of the ZPE so that it acts as an equivalent refractive medium in a manner originally suggested by Eddington. It is discovered that this ZPE approach to gravity predicts that the fine structure constant will be marginally greater in gravitational fields. A consideration of problems associated with the cosmological constant leads to a model for the origin of the ZPE linked with processes operating at the inception of the cosmos. Introduction Stochastic electrodynamics (SED) is a currently developing branch of physics that is providing new insights into physical phenomena. The basis of this approach to physics is the action of the energy inherent in the vacuum, the Zero Point Energy (ZPE), on subatomic particles. As a result of this approach, SED physics has been successful in describing a number of quantum phenomena and the behaviour of atoms in a manner that is often more intuitive than quantum electrodynamics (QED). It has also developed a theory of gravity that is already unified with the other forces of physics. This approach potentially resolves some problems with General Relativity (GR) which are discussed here, including matters relating to the cosmological constant. In addition, it may also provide reasons why there may have been a significantly higher lightspeed at the inception of the cosmos as Moffat, Albrecht & Magueijo propose, or over the lifetime of the universe as Norman & Setterfield, Troitskii, and Barrow have suggested, and why statistical trends in the behaviour of some atomic constants have been noted. Of particular interest in this context is the fact that, in 1911, Planck predicted the existence of the ZPE and demonstrated that Planck’s constant, h, was a measure of its strength. Mass and the Higgs Boson This new approach also offers solutions to problems associated with mass. Some of these were reviewed by Marcus Chown in the 3 February 2001 issue of “New Scientist” (pp. 22-25). First, he points out that a whole class of theories which, in attempting to unify the forces of nature, usually treat all subatomic particles as having zero rest-mass. In order