Alternative Theories of Gravity

This work investigates alternative theories of gravity, the solutions to their field equations and the constraints that can be imposed upon them from observation and experiment. Specifically, we consider the cosmologies and spherically symmetric solutions that can be expected to result from scalar-tensor and fourth-order theories of gravity. We find exact cosmological solutions of various different kinds; isotropic and anisotropic, homogeneous and inhomogeneous. These solutions are used to investigate the behaviour of the Universes at both late and early times, to investigate the effects of corrections to general relativity on approach to an initial singularity and to look for effects which may be observable in the present day Universe. We use physical processes, such as the primordial nucleosynthesis of the light elements, to impose constraints upon any deviations from the standard model. Furthermore, we investigate the vacuum spherically symmetric solutions of these theories. This environment is of particular interest for considerations of the local effects of gravity, where the most accurate experiments and observations of gravitational phenomena can be performed. Exact solutions are obtained for this situation and their stability analysed. It is found that a variety of new behaviour is obtainable in these theories that was not previously possible in the standard model. This new behaviour allows us an extended framework in which to consider gravitational physics, and its cosmological consequences.