Field theoretic treatment of gravitational interaction in electrodynamics

A theory of gravitational interaction in classical electrodynamics is developed on the basis of an earlier-proposed minimal relativistic model of gravitation. From the variation principle, a system of gaugeinvariant equations of the interacting electromagnetic and gravitational fields is deduced and their common energy-momentum tensor is constructed. A rigorous solution to the problem of regularizing the field mass of a point charge is given with consideration for the coupling energy of the gravitational interaction. The propagation of electromagnetic waves in the gravitational field is discussed. It is shown that, under the condition of the existing resonant ratio 2: 3 for the periods of Mercury’s orbital revolution and daily rotation, tidal forces cause a regular shift in the planet’s perihelion in an observable forward direction.