Comparing Gravitational Waves & Post-Newtonian Approximation

In summary, the conversation revolved around the comparison of post-Newtonian approximation of gravitational waves and the actual detections, as well as the accuracy of post-Newtonian predictions in general. The speaker mentioned trying to find articles on the topic but not being successful. Another person responded with a reference to Misner, Thorne, Wheeler's "Gravitation" and mentioned some discussion on the topic of PPN and inspirals. The conversation ended with a clarification on the meaning of PPN, which is related to General Relativity.
  • #1
Vrbic
407
18
Hello,
I would like to ask, if somebody knows anything about comparison post-Newtonian approximation of gravitational waves and these which were detected. Or generally post-Newtonian predictions vs. facts found in detection. I tried find some article but I didn't find. Please let me know what you know or refer me, please.

Thank you everyone.
 
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  • #2
Post-Newtonian means ? As far as I know it means General Relativity, which is the theory behind gravitational waves.
 
  • #3
Vrbic said:
Hello,
I would like to ask, if somebody knows anything about comparison post-Newtonian approximation of gravitational waves and these which were detected. Or generally post-Newtonian predictions vs. facts found in detection. I tried find some article but I didn't find. Please let me know what you know or refer me, please.

Thank you everyone.

I think there's some discussion of the PPN approximation for gravitational waves in Misner, Thorne, Wheeler, "Gravitation". I think I recall some fine points about PPN and insprials, something about PPN being good enough if the orbit didn't decay, but not quite good enough when it did. I don't have time to look it up at the moment though.
 

FAQ: Comparing Gravitational Waves & Post-Newtonian Approximation

What are gravitational waves?

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime, caused by the acceleration of massive objects. They were first predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity and were recently observed for the first time by the LIGO and Virgo collaborations.

How do gravitational waves compare to other forms of radiation?

Unlike electromagnetic radiation, gravitational waves cannot be blocked or absorbed by objects in their path. They also have a different polarization and can travel through empty space without losing energy.

What is the post-Newtonian approximation?

The post-Newtonian approximation is a mathematical method used to describe the motion of objects in a gravitational field, taking into account the effects of general relativity. It is a more accurate approach than the classical Newtonian mechanics, which only considers the force of gravity between two objects.

How do gravitational waves and the post-Newtonian approximation relate?

The post-Newtonian approximation can be used to predict the emission of gravitational waves from systems of massive objects, such as black holes or neutron stars. It provides a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of these waves and how they affect the motion of objects in their path.

What are some potential applications of comparing gravitational waves and the post-Newtonian approximation?

Studying the properties of gravitational waves and their behavior in different contexts can help us better understand the fundamental laws of physics, such as general relativity. It can also provide insights into the nature of the universe and potentially lead to new technologies, such as more accurate and sensitive detectors for studying gravitational waves.

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