1 Derivation of Newton’s Gravitation Law from the Hypothesis of Locality, Spatial Symmetry, and the Minimum of Gravitational Field Energy

In this article it is shown that Newton’s law of gravitation can be derived from the hypothesis of locality, the assumption of spatial symmetry, and the assumption of minimum energy stored in the gravitational field. It is also assumed that the force of gravity is related to the curvature of space-time. It is argued that the assumption of minimum gravitational field energy is necessary for preventing the extraction of work from the interaction between spaces with minimum and non-minimum gravitational energy. From these postulates it is then possible to derive the metric that describes the static space-time of a centrally gravitating non-rotating body and from that derive the formulas that describe the four tests of General Theory of Relativity, the perihelion advance, the gravitational red-shift, the deflection of light by the Sun, and the Shapiro delay. Finally, form the obtained metric it is also possible to derive the Newton’s law of gravitation