On May 5, JanPB wrote:
Mike wrote:

Suppose this allien mathematical genius arrives to earth and he is
presented with the GR equations. He knows nothing about Newtonian
physics, he oes not know what force means for earthlinks, he has never
seen F = dp/dt, or F =ma or, F = GMm/r^2

He is asked to find out what are the equations of motion in the weak
field limit.

Will he be able to derive Newton's laws of motion and universal law of
graviation in the weak field limit from the GR equations?

Yes. There is no wiggle room there.

Ask him/her/it to write down for you where the wiggle room is. Then
post it here.

There are an infinite number of solutions to the field equations. In
vacuum, one such solution can be the following.

ds^2 = G c^2 dt^2 / (1 + r / K) – K^4 (1 + r / K) dr^2 / r^4
– K^2 (1 + K / r)^2 dO^2

Where

** G = Dimensionless constant
** K = Constant of length
** dO^2 = r^2 cos^2(Latitude) dLongitude^2 + r^2 dLatitude^2

It is static and spherically symmetric. However, it is not
asymptotically flat. Nevertheless, it is still a valid solution.

Does it degenerate into Newtonian law of gravity? No.

Therefore, Mike is correct on this one. Both Professor Draper and Mr.
Bielawski are very wrong. It is time for both gentlemen to propose a
graceful retreat.