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We present a physical analogy which can be used to understand the issues involved in the Principle of Equivalence in so-called spatial flow theories of gravity, and we discuss the essential kinematic properties of the flow which distinguish its gravitational, non-inertial, and inertial modes. We also point out that the acceleration experienced by a body moving in the flow does not always coincide with the co-moving derivative of the flow itself.

We have performed a simple version of the hollow shell Cavendish experiment. We were unable to detect the characteristic repulsive force which is logically implied when one assumes the boundary condition of continuity of flow across material interfaces in spatial flow theories of gravity. We conclude that this boundary condition is not in agreement with physical reality (rather than taking the much stronger position that spatial flow theories are necessarily wrong).

Two complementary and equally important approaches to relativistic physics are explained. One is the standard approach, and the other is based on a study of the flows of an underlying physical substratum. Previous results concerning the substratum flow approach are reviewed, expanded, and more closely related to the formalism of General Relativity. An absolute relativistic dynamics is derived in which energy and momentum take on absolute significance with respect to the substratum. Possible new effects on satellites are described.

The internal gravitational fields of bodies which are predicted by General Relativity and the spatial flow theory of gravity are compared. In contrast to the case of the external fields, the internal fields in the two theories are completely different for ordinary states of matter. We discuss the details of these startling differences and suggest a simple, and yet pivotal, hollow shell Cavendish experiment which can easily discern between them. The parallels between General Relativity and the spatial flow theory are made for the case of extraordinary states of matter.

We suggest that a satellite with a stable atomic clock on board be sent through the Earth-Sun gravitational saddle point to experimentally determine whether Nature prefers static solutions of the field equations of General Relativity, such as the standard Schwarzschild solution, or whether Nature prefers equivalent non-static solutions. This is a test of the boundary conditions of General Relativity rather than of the field equations. The fractional difference in clock rates between the two possibilities is a part in a hundred million. This is a large and easily measurable effect.

We show how the motion of free material test particles in arbitrary spatial flows is easily determined within the context of ordinary vector calculus. This may be useful for everyone, including engineers and nonspecialists, when thinking about gravitational problems. It already has valid application to simple problems such as the problems of motion in rotating and accelerating frames and to the gravitational problem of the single spherically symmetric attractor. When applied to the two body gravitational problem, it may help us determine the actual direction of the flow.