2004/08/31 by S. Deser, J. Franklin · 4 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #gr-qc #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1119/1.1830505
published as Am.J.Phys.73:261-264,2005 · 8 pages. Clarifying remarks and historic references added, accepted for publication in Amer. J. Phys
arxiv created 2004/09/23 · openalex publication_date 2005/02/09 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We provide a simple derivation of the Schwarzschild solution in general relativity based on an approach by Weyl, but generalized to include Birkhoff’s theorem. This theorem states that the Schwarzschild mass must be constant in time. Our procedure is illustrated by a parallel derivation of the Coulomb field and the constancy of the electric charge in electrodynamics. We also explain the basis of Birkhoff’s theorem and note that even the original Weyl approach can be used to illuminate the special role played by the Schwarzschild coordinates.