Relative mechanics with no absolute space is shown to be equivalent to Newtonian mechanics applied in a universe of zero net angular momentum. Closed spaces in general relativity have no angular momentum and shrivel to one point as the mass-energy contained tends to zero, thereby obeying Mach’s principle on the origin of inertia. © 1995 The American Physical Society.

• Received 21 February 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.52.7322