Motion of a Particle in the Field of an Infinite Flat Slab

Abstract

This paper studies the motion of a light signal and a test particle in the field of an infinite flat slab in terms of the general theory of relativity. The two cases of an external solution for a gravitational field in a vacuum corresponding to Rindler and Taub metrics are examined. The time of the motion and the path traveled by a particle before it stops are determined. It is shown that in the Taub geometry, as opposed to a light signal, a material particle does not reach a singularity. The minimum distance from the singularity is determined as a function of the particle energy. Results in terms of the special theory of relativity are given for comparison.