Abstract

If Mach's Principle is not valid, how does the universe negate the effects of its mass to accomodate more far-out theories like warped space and the Big Bang? The following is a slightly opinionated condensed version of Chapter 7 from Peter and Neal Graneau's book, In the Grip of the Distant Universe: The Science of Inertia (River Edge, NJ: World Scientific, 2006). The net (Gm₁m₂/r²) force from all bodies in a Newtonian universe, acting on an object, should be measurable. Mach and others were certain this force was what other scientists referred to as the mysterious inertial force. Misperceptions about the cosmos have allowed detracting theories to gain traction, but more recent scienctific discoveries are corraborating Mach's claims.