Packet 5: Tossup 1

Within this theory, the converse of a so-called “superb theorem” does not hold because a linear term could be consistently added per Gurzadyan’s theorem. A reformulation of this theory that incorporates a torsion-free affine connection is named for this theory’s namesake and Elie Cartan. This theory has a Lagrangian density that consists of a term proportional to the squared gradient of the field phi all over 8 pi plus a term equal to phi times a density function. This theory’s namesake predicted no effect (-5[1])in regions within spherically symmetric settings, a result called the “shell theorem.” In SI units, (-5[1])this theory (10[1])is described by a version of Poisson’s equation with a 4 pi rho source term. (10[1])For 10 points, name this classical theory whose (-5[1])central law (-5[1])predicts an inverse-square (-5[1])attraction (-5[3])between (-5[1])massive (10[2]-5[1])objects. (10[2]-5[1])■END■ (10[10]0[6])

ANSWER: Newtonian gravity [or Newtonian gravitation; accept answers indicating both Isaac Newton and gravity; accept Newton’s law of (universal) gravitation; prompt on classical gravity]
<Editors, Physics> | E. Prelims 5 - Indiana + Vanderbilt + MIT
= Average correct buzzpoint

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