Five-dimensional Relativity Theory

The five-dimensional relativity theory proposed by Kaluza is formulated covariantly for a Riemannian space containing a Killing geodesic vector field. From this five-dimensional space a four-dimensional physical space is extracted. The field equations in empty 5-space are essentially uniquely determined and correspond to the Einstein-Maxwell equations in 4-space. In the presence of a field in 5-space the field equations involve a tensor which is associated with energy, momentum, charge and current densities in 4-space. For a 5-space containing dust the field equations lead to particle motion described by the geodesic equations. The latter correspond in 4-space to the Lorentz equations of motion for particles with arbitrary ratios of charge to mass and also for certain entities (tachyons and luminons) unobserved hitherto.