Gravity

Discuss

what is it
where is it

does it have one center

does it have many centres


yada yada yada

Gravitation is most accurately described by the general theory of relativity (proposed by Einstein) which describes gravitation as a consequence of the curvature of spacetime

IMHO this makes more sense
the curvature of spacetime is a consequence gravitation

Also on further thought space isn`t curverd ........its stretched

like for example a sheet of cling film being pulled along its x,y,z axises

pretty sure this is wrong and misleading




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korban dallas wrote:pretty sure this is wrong and misleading




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That's what I always thought, but then, the topic is very confusing for me -- especially as it would seem that the theory of gravitons and gravitational waves conflicts with the theory of space-time curvature as the cause of gravity. Then again, I might just be refusing to see them as both simultaneously true, as a few big brains discuss over here: http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/427/nature-of-gravity-gravitons-curvature-of-space-time-or-both

korban dallas wrote:pretty sure this is wrong and misleading




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I always thought it would be better to illustrate that with the Earth suspended in gelatin

Ben_Reilly wrote:

korban dallas wrote:pretty sure this is wrong and misleading




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I always thought it would be better to illustrate that with the Earth suspended in gelatin

the picture is fundementaly wrong because (i believe ) it dipicts the mass of the earth(in this case) distorting the fabric of space in the wrong direction because it is a 2d representaion along 1 axis

the problem is that space is not 2d and the picture shows distortion due to the objects mass (like a ball on a sheet ) but the force on spase is omnidirectional, like gravity which is a force of attraction
so space would be pulled towards it from every direction so instead of a picture showing the mass at the bottom of the well what it shoud show is the mass at the top of a dome created as space is pulled towards the mass  


kind of like this mannifold but in all direction

for example if you took a block of gelatin with a inflated balloon at its center then sucked out the air of that balloon.(simulating a gravitational force )
The surounding gelatin (space) would be pulled/streched  towards the centre of the void from every direction

korban dallas wrote:pretty sure this is wrong and misleading



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Well, one problem is that the representation is two-dimensional.  But the bending of space/time thesis is questioned these days, my brother tells me.  (He is a physicist at Los Alamos.)

Einstein's distortion of space/time only begs the question for me.  The question I've always had is, what is the interaction (or dimension) that causes it?  If mass bends space/time, why...or how?

That's way above my pay grade, Quill. As it stands, I'm nearly ready to accept Intelligent Falling:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/evangelical-scientists-refute-gravity-with-new-int,1778/

Gravity is a myth.

The earth sucks.

That is my theory.

Handy Andy wrote:Gravity is a myth.

The earth sucks.

That is my theory.

It's settled, then.

Gotta love how the ISS had all the heating, oxygen and gravity-independent toilets for Sandy to float around like that

Ben_Reilly wrote:Gotta love how the ISS had all the heating, oxygen and gravity-independent toilets for Sandy to float around like that

Haha...she held her water, and she was scared shitless.