Stating the law of gravitation as F = γmm´ / r², the meaning here adopted for etherial tension at the surface of the earth is
T = ∫R∞ γE / r² dr = γE / R;
so that the ordinary intensity of gravity is
g = −dT / dR = γE / R² = 4 / 3πργR.
Accordingly, near the surface of a planet the tension is T0 = gR, or for different planets is proportional to ρR².
The velocity of free fall from infinity to such a planet is √(2T0); the velocity of free fall from circumference to centre, assuming uniform distribution of density, is √(T0); and from infinity to centre it is √(3T0).
Expanding all this into words:—
The etherial tension near the earth's surface, required to explain gravity by its rate of variation, is of the order 6 × 1011 c.g.s. units. The tension near the sun is 2500 times as great (p. [103]). With different spheres in general, it is proportional to the density and to the superficial area. Hence, near a bullet one inch in diameter, it is of the order 10-6; and near an atom or an electron about 10-21 c.g.s.
If ever the tension rose to equal the constitutional elasticity or intrinsic kinetic energy of the ether,—which we have seen is 1033 dynes per square centimetre (or ergs per c.c.) or 1022 tons weight per square millimetre,—it seems likely that something would give way. But no known mass of matter is able to cause anything like such a tension.
A smaller aggregate of matter would be able to generate the velocity of light in bodies falling towards it from a great distance; and it may be doubted whether any mass so great as to be able to do even that can exist in one lump.