Gravitational waves without general relativity redux.

An electromagnetic-like model of gravitational radiation reproduces many features of the gravitational waves emitted by orbiting binary systems and observed by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration. However, that model predicts a total gravitational wave power emission which is smaller than that predicted by general relativity. In this paper, we improve the electromagnetic-like model by considering the energy-momentum tensor of the binary source and revisiting a numerical factor in the expressions that link the gravitational mass/energy currents to the vector potential. The enhanced model's results for the total gravitational wave power emitted by a binary source before coalescence are in complete agreement with general relativistic predictions. This approach makes gravitational wave physics accessible to a broad audience without requiring any knowledge of general relativity. Editor's Note: A deep understanding of gravitational waves requires knowledge of general relativity (which is notoriously difficult). Over the decades, and for various reasons, alternative theories/models of gravity have been developed. Even though such alternatives were eventually found to conflict with observations, they still can be used for pedagogical purposes. In this article, the author develops a vector theory of gravitational waves, reminiscent of electromagnetism, which leads to many of the same predictions as general relativity. Many calculations proceed by analogy with electromagnetism, and the context of this model may help learners build their intuition for gravitational radiation. Readers familiar with electromagnetic radiation will find the model presented here to be a helpful stepping stone to the full theory of general relativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]