All Questions
21
questions
5
votes
3
answers
239
views
How did Einstein figure out mass (and hence energy) bends spacetime?
I can understand that once I fix the velocity of light at $c$, there is a relative variation in space-time based on special relativity (inertial frame of reference). It's not clear to me how Einstein ...
- 131
0
votes
3
answers
168
views
Relation between mass and spacetime
I am trying to understand whether spacetime possesses an intrinsic "elasticity" that is acting as a sort of counter-force to mass trying to bend it.
0
votes
1
answer
39
views
Does local gravity change when approaching the speed of light? (Relativistic mass) [duplicate]
Let's say we'd transform earth into a giant space ship and had some planetary drive that can accelerate it without burning any kind of fuel (so the amount of matter on earth stays the same - we'd ...
6
votes
2
answers
532
views
Does kinetic energy of an object curve spacetime? [duplicate]
Based on general relativity mass and energy distribution curves spacetime. Thus, if an object with 1kg rest mass moves with constant speed and has a speed very close to speed of light, then it has an ...
- 947
0
votes
1
answer
271
views
Is mass the source of space-time?
The Einstein field equations (EFE) characterize how mass curves spacetime.
$$ R_{\mu\nu}-\frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu}R=\kappa T_{\mu\nu} $$
I try to understand the curvature of spacetime.
In the EFE, there ...
- 255
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Mass as space curvature [duplicate]
General relativity states (in simplified vocabulary) that mass curves the space-time, being gravity one of the observable effects of this curvature.
Is there any theory or works starting on the ...
- 1,128
0
votes
1
answer
86
views
How is the fabric of space-time curved? It bends due to energy or mass, but what causes bending? [duplicate]
When we experiment with General Relativity on Earth, a tissue bends according to the experiment due to the placement of a mass, but of course there is a gravitational pull that causes bending. If we ...
- 49
11
votes
6
answers
4k
views
If mass curves spacetime, why do planets in a vacuum follow curved paths?
Earth orbits the Sun because the Sun's mass curves spacetime. But the Sun is 150 million kilometers away from here; how can mass curve spacetime that it's not actually in? Is that a form of action at ...
- 384
3
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Why is curved space able to change an object's velocity (vector)?
I don't really understand what is meant by curved space. Why does mass warp space? Why does curved space alter the velocity of a massive object? Normally to change an object's direction you have to ...
- 55
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How to visualize spacetime curvature? [duplicate]
I find it very difficult to visualize spacetime curvature in my mind. When I look at the depiction like the one below it doesn't make much sense to me, instead, it is making it more confusing for me ...
- 555
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
Is the warp of spacetime caused by mass infinite in radius, or does it completely flatten?
So the mass (=energy) of the sun warps space, creating a dip. Does this well stretch infinitely, but just gets so subtle it cannot be noticed, or does it actually cut off at a point?
- 117
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is it possible to bend space 'upwards'? [duplicate]
According to the theory of general relativity 'space' can be bend like a fabric.
Objects with a lot of mass bend spacetime like a well or a bowling ball on a stretched blanket.
It (images) always look ...
2
votes
3
answers
327
views
Do shapes of matter affect space-time distortion?
We know heavy objects bend space-time, but does the curvature only depends on the mass? Or different shapes bend space time differently?
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
204
views
If mass curve spacetime, is it possible for mass to be curved spacetime?
We know from general relativity that mass curve spacetime. One step further of unification would be that mass is curved spacetime. Is this a possiblity? And if not, why?
- 61
1
vote
2
answers
142
views
In general relativity, is it proper to say that mass curves the three spatial dimensions and also that mass curves the fourth dimension? [duplicate]
In general relativity, is it proper to say that mass curves the three spatial dimensions (x1, x2, x3) and also that mass curves the fourth dimension x4?
- 107