Friction

[owt200x]

does space have friction?

 

[vandivx]

I take it you believe it does<br /><br />I hope you can support it with some good theory like I can <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />vanDivX <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[owt200x]

im working with a concept, bare with me <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />but if space has zero gravity, and zero fricton. theoretically if you nudge something in any direction, it wont have any resistance and gain speed as it travels, until it gets close to a planet or moons gravity field.<br /><br />does that make sense to anyone else?<br />

 

[docm]

No,<br /><br />A given force exerted on a given mass will result in a fixed velocity, not an accelerating one. <br /><br />For further acceleration you must overcome <i><b>inertia</b></i>, a bodies inherent resistance to changes in its momentum, with a continuing supply of more force. <br /><br />Inertia is closely related to an objects mass which is thought to be instilled on matter by the Higgs Field, a quantum field which in turn is moderated by the "God Particle"; the Higgs Boson, an as yet undetected particle predicted in the standard model. <br /><br />Such an object traveling in just the right path passing a massive object (planet, moon etc.) will be further accelerated by that objects gravity (slingshot effect) but after the encounter its velocity will still be fixed but at a higher value.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[owt200x]

thats what i was thinking. back to work...

 

[nexium]

Generally docm gave good info. Decelleration = slowing down will occur if the direction is out of a gravity well. Accelleration into a gravity well occurs until you pass the gravity source after which you are climbing out of a gravity well (unless you collided).<br />Space has a few particles, so there is some friction. At 1% of c or surely at half or more of the speed of light, friction is a major factor making faster impractical for space craft. The enormous speed sweeps up large numbers of the widely spaced particles. Neil