Are the forces of gravity subject to the Doppler effect?

In summary, it is possible that the force of gravity could vary according to the redshift equation. This would explain the anomalous precession of the perihelion of Mercury, Venus, etc. and the flyby anomaly. However, it is not likely that this will be accommodated by General Relativity.
  • #1
kmarinas86
979
1
Was it considered that the force of gravity could vary according to the redshift equation?

[tex]1+z=\frac{1+v \cos (\theta)/c}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}[/tex]

If those who consider this are right, then it would imply that an object leaving a gravitational system would experience a slight decrease in the gravitational force from behind, and an object entering a gravitational system would experience a slightly increased gravitational force in front of it. Therefore, an object flying-by the Earth would experience a gravitational field that is slightly ahead it even if it is at the apex of its trajectory.[Note 1]

Also, if the object were to travel between latitudinal lines, in the same direction as the planet's spin, then a transverse Doppler effect would reduce the force of gravity from latitudes further from the equator more so than they would for latitudes closer to the equator, resulting in a slight gravitational pull towards the equator, giving it a lower effective potential.[Note 2]

If such were to occur, is this something that can be accommodated by General Relativity?[Note 3]

1) Could that not explain the anomalous precession of the perihelion of Mercury, Venus, etc.?
2) Could that not explain the flyby anomaly?
3) ...I'm not expecting that it will.
 
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  • #2
kmarinas86 said:
If those who consider this are right, [...]
Does "those who consider this" mean you?

No, you can't just randomly apply the Doppler correction formula to randomly chosen physical variables.
 
  • #3
bcrowell said:
Does "those who consider this" mean you?

No, you can't just randomly apply the Doppler correction formula to randomly chosen physical variables.

So the forces of gravity are not subject to the Doppler effect? Or are you just saying that you cannot randomly apply the Doppler effect to the forces of gravity, i.e. haphazardly?
 
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  • #4
The Doppler effect applies to frequency and wavelength. How does it apply to forces? :confused:
 
  • #5
jtbell said:
The Doppler effect applies to frequency and wavelength. How does it apply to forces? :confused:

Frequency and wavelength apply to the photon. The photon is a gauge boson. It is a particle which allows for the transfer of energy from one body to another through a fundamental force, and in this case that fundamental force is electromagnetism. The magnitude of amount of momentum which a mass-bearing object receives from a photon is given by the relation [tex]p=\frac{h}{\lambda}[/tex], where [tex]p[/tex] is the momentum of the photon, [tex]h[/tex] is Planck's constant, and [tex]\lambda[/tex] is the wavelength of the photon in the frame of reference of that mass-bearing object.

So we know of at least one type of force (electromagnetic), which is mediated through a type of field (an electromagnetic field), clearly obeying the relativistic Doppler formula.
 
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  • #7
I am not sure but it can apply to gravitational waves but not gravitational forces.
 
  • #8
The Doppler shift has two parts, the classical part which is your velocity makings wave crests appear to run by you faster or slower. There's also a relativistic component involving the time dilation.

Assuming you were heading toward a source of (low amplitude) gravitational waves, the same Doppler shift would apply as does for light waves.

The general phenomenon is not limited to waves only, it's just that it was discovered that way. But it's perfectly reasonable mathematically to extend the Doppler shift concept to non-wave fields.
 
  • #9
Antiphon said:
[..]
The general phenomenon is not limited to waves only, it's just that it was discovered that way. But it's perfectly reasonable mathematically to extend the Doppler shift concept to non-wave fields.

Mathematically reasonable perhaps, but physically not - except if you can make it plausible that static fields have something like propagating wave crests that can be counted.
 

FAQ: Are the forces of gravity subject to the Doppler effect?

1. What is the Doppler effect?

The Doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the source of the wave. This effect is commonly observed in sound and light waves.

2. How does the Doppler effect relate to gravity?

The Doppler effect can also be observed in gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by the movement of massive objects. The frequency and wavelength of these waves can be affected by the motion of the source or the observer.

3. Are all gravitational forces subject to the Doppler effect?

No, the Doppler effect only applies to gravitational forces that involve the movement of massive objects. For example, the gravitational pull between two stationary objects would not be affected by the Doppler effect.

4. Can the Doppler effect be used to measure the strength of gravitational forces?

Yes, the Doppler effect can be used to measure the frequency and wavelength of gravitational waves, which can in turn provide information about the strength of the gravitational force between two objects.

5. Is the Doppler effect the only factor that affects gravitational forces?

No, the Doppler effect is just one of many factors that can affect gravitational forces. Other factors include the masses and distances of the objects involved, as well as the presence of other external forces.

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