Gravity and the Uncertainty Principle

[timetravel_0]

Gravity effects time in such a way that you can visualize it on a scale such as:


|-----|-----|-----|-----| <- Earth Scale in Seconds

|-----------|-----------| <-Deep Space Scale in Seconds(Exaggerated)

I'm trying to visualize how this time effect would effect everything, matter, speed, position, momentum...

If an observer was able to see both points in space at the same time, and were to watch a race of two identically build rockets. The rocket on Earth would finish before the rocket in space. Of course the experienced time would be the same and both rockets would agree on the amount of time it took, only the observer able to see both outcomes would know the difference.

If you could bring this scale down on the small and measure the movement of a particle from one "Instant" to the next - literally from Future to Past on the smallest scale, would the uncertainly be different in space than on Earth due to the gravitations effect on time?

Basically what I am saying is, the "space" between the two measured units of time would be different:

Past|----|Future on Earth

Past|------------|Future in Space

So if you were to measure a particles position, wouldn't the ability to accurately predict is position go down in space than on earth?

 

[eljose79]

I find this forum post very interesting and thought-provoking. Gravity is a fundamental force that affects not only matter and motion, but also time itself. The concept of time dilation, where time moves slower in stronger gravitational fields, is well understood in the scientific community.

To answer your question about the uncertainty of measuring a particle's position in space compared to on Earth, the answer is yes. In general, the uncertainty principle states that the more precisely we know a particle's position, the less precisely we know its momentum, and vice versa. This is due to the inherent wave-like nature of particles at the quantum level.

In the scenario you described, where the space between two measured units of time is different in space compared to on Earth, the uncertainty in measuring a particle's position would also be different. This is because the gravitational effects on time would affect the particle's momentum and therefore its position. In other words, the uncertainty in measuring a particle's position would be greater in a stronger gravitational field.

This concept has been observed and studied in experiments such as the famous "twin paradox," where one twin travels to space at high speeds and experiences time dilation, while the other twin stays on Earth and ages at a normal rate. When they are reunited, the twin who traveled will have aged less than the twin who stayed on Earth.

In summary, the effects of gravity on time can have a significant impact on the uncertainty of measuring a particle's position in space compared to on Earth. It is a fascinating concept that highlights the interconnectedness of fundamental forces in the universe.