Question about space

[dark_star]

I have a question about the nature of space. I had been sitting in my advanced higher physics class Listening to my teacher, who had been talking about gravity in general, and I asked, 'would the force due to gravity vary between two diffrent parts of space, if the same mass inhabited it?', lets just say he could'nt or would'nt give me an answer.<br /><br />My question is can space be soft or hard meaning, a soft peice of space would 'bend' (for the lack of a better word) more while a fixed mass was inhabiting it, therefore the force due to gravity would be larger. But if it were a hard peice of space it would 'bend' less under the same mass, therefore the force due to gravity would be less...<br /><br />Do you see where I'm going or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

 

[nimbus]

Variable gravity? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[dark_star]

I donno, it was just an idea I had, I don't know if its rubbish or if its already been thought of before...

 

[observer7]

If I may rephrase your question to make sure I'm getting it right...<br /><br />You are wondering if two equal masses, located in different spacial coordinates, could exhibit different gravitational forces because of a characteristic of the space they inhabit?<br /><br />I would say that as far as we know "space" is consistent throughout the universe. There has never been an instance (that I am aware of) where masses have been shown to vary because of their location in space. <br /><br />Now on the other hand, mass does vary as a function of velocity (relativity) and it may be possible that due to relativistic effects, no two separate areas of "space" are exactly equal. They are always in some relative motion with each other and therefore a mass measured in these two spaces will always show some difference based on the relative motion of the observer.<br /><br />This is interesting, because it may provide some insight into how various MOND theories could be explained. On large (intergalactic) scales, space is different from small (galactic) scales and therefore masses are measured differently. Galaxies have flat rotation curves because on that large scale gravity curves space differently then it does at small scales, and perhaps we can carry this further and propose differences at very small (atomic / quantum) scales.<br /><br />Interesting idea. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">"Time exists so that everything doesn't happen at once" </font></em><font size="2">Albert Einstein</font> </div>

 

[dark_star]

hmm, thanks for the reply, though being a humble high school physics student some of that passed over my head...<br /><br />At least I know I'm not totaly crazy!<br /><br />

 

[h2ouniverse]

We should believe nobody about the nature of space!<br /><br />Btw there are some theories about non-commutativite geometry (see sites and papers of Alain Connes). In a non-commutative space, may be your suggestion could make sense?<br />

 

[heyscottie]

You seem to be asking if gravity has different strengths in different places, more or less. The answer is, as far as we know, no. There may not be any physical reason this should be so, however, but due to the fact that we do not really understand gravity yet, it would be impossible to answer with complete certainty.<br /><br />But look at other forces, and ask the same questions. Is it possible two electrons repulse each other more or less strongly in different regions of space? It is true that gravity deserves a special mention in these types of questions, because it has been described as a bending of spacetime, while electromagnetism has not.<br /><br />But what you are really questioning is the Principle of Relativity. The Relativity Principle states that the laws of physics work the same no matter where you are in the Universe, and no matter what speed you are travelling (or alternatively, what speed things are moving by you).<br /><br />Scott

 

[thesmartonewon]

if u can imagine it, then it is possible. the thing that is hardest to imagine is nothing.. and nothing doesnt last very long at all.

 

[ashish27]

Here's what I think: as for our present knowledge its the mass of celestial bodies that determine the nature (curvature) of space-time around them and not the other way round. <br />We do not know about anything that may cause a change in the mass of a body if moved from one spacial location to another.

 

[vogon13]

if u can imagine it, then it is possible<br /><br /><br />I am imagining you anatomically inverted (that would be 'turned inside out') and still alive.<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[Saiph]

Another way to pose that question would be: What would happen if Gravity didn't follow the 1/r^2 relationship?<br /><br />The answer: Bad things, like there would be no closed orbits, objects would precess strongly about eachother, and could eventually disperse without outside interference.<br /><br />There would be a lot of observational evidence if a region of space didn't allow gravity to follow the 1/r^2 relationship, and we dont' see any.<br /><br />If you ask your prof. the above question, you might get a more thorough answer without flustering him. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector.  Goes "bing" when there's stuff.  It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually.  I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[dragon04]

I would think that the predictable nature of Gravity, considering the relatively inequal distribution of mass in the Universe leads one to believe that gravity itself is consistent everywhere.<br /><br /><font color="yellow">But if it were a hard peice of space it would 'bend' less under the same mass, therefore the force due to gravity would be less...</font><br /><br />If it were proven that there was only 3 physical dimensions to "space", maybe one could make an argument for an inconsistent "pliability" of of space.<br /><br />But even then, space itself, and not gravity is the actor. Gravity would not be "more or less" in that case, but rather defined by another unique force acting on it.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>