Anomalias e paradoxos da teoria newtoniana da gravitação

Abstract

ln this paper, an attempt is made in order to presentfrom an historical point of view some famous paradoxes of the Newtonian theory of gravitation, when it is applied to an infinite universe, such as the cosmological paradox or Olbers' paradox and the gravitational paradox or Seeliger's paradox. A discussion is also made presented concerning the planetary anomalies, in particular the secular shift of the perihelion of Mercury, as well as the solutions that were proposed in order to e/iminate the anomalies and overcome the paradoxes of the theory. Finally, a general survey is presented of the question concerning the propagation of the gravitation. Severa! attempts were made to take care of this possible aspect of the gravitation, modifying the Newtonian the01y, so that at sarne time the anomalies and paradoxes should be overcome. On the other hand, it is showed that ali these attempts failed, until the appearance of the General Theory of Relativity, which gave another treatment to these questions.