Pinball spring model

In general relativity it is difficult to work with the concept of a classical phenomenological spring model since it involves action at a distance. We propose a toy relativistic model exhibiting oscillatory behavior and investigate its motion in selected gravitational fields. The simple model can be used to study the behavior of extended objects falling freely in a background gravitational field. Unlike previous glider-type models, the present system only involves local interaction, avoiding thus the pitfalls of superluminal motion. Moreover, it locally satisfies energy-momentum conservation.

Automated summary

A toy relativistic model is proposed to study oscillatory behavior and motion in gravitational fields without the pitfalls of superluminal motion. The system only involves local interaction and satisfies energy-momentum conservation locally, making it a useful tool for studying extended objects falling freely in a background gravitational field.