GRAVITATION AND COSMOLOGY IN GENERALIZED (1-DIMENSIONAL DILATON GRAVITY(1))

The actions of the 'R = T' and string-inspired theories of gravity in (1 + 1) dimensions are generalized into one single action which is cha racterized by two functions. We discuss differing interpretations of t he matter stress-energy tenser, and show how two such different interp retations can yield two different sets of field equations from this ac tion. The weak-field approximation, post-Newtonian expansion, hydrosta tic equilibrium state of a star and two-dimensional cosmology are stud ied separately by using the two sets of field equations. Some properti es in the 'R = T' and string-inspired theories are shown to be generic in the theory induced by the generalized action.