Gravity reaches across space and apparently reaches across time.

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of gravity reaching across space and time and the confusion it may cause for those who are not involved in the event. The term "reaching into the past" is used, but it is clarified that gravity does not affect things in the past. The conversation also delves into the warping of space-time and whether the past still exists. However, it is noted that in order to truly understand these concepts, one must have a solid understanding of mathematics.
  • #1
keepitmoving
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gravity reaches across space and apparently reaches across time. If it reaches into the past doesn`t that cause some confusion for those who aren`t involved in the gravity event?
 
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  • #2


I don't know what "reaches into the past" could possibly mean, but I can tell you that whatever it is, gravity doesn't do this.
 
  • #3


i guess the way i said that sounded funny. I was referring to the
"warping" of time.
 
  • #4


Matter warps space time, such that clocks move at different speeds when in different gravitational fields. This doesn't mean gravity affects things in the past...? I guess I don't really get what your question is...
 
  • #5


not being a professional physicist, i guess i use a simpler language. i was thinking that the warping of spacetime meant the warping of time as well. i used the phrase reaching back in time in a similar way to gravity reaching or warping space. and i was just wondering if that warping went backwards in time. In other words does the past still exist? I know it sounds sci fi, sorry.
 
  • #6


keepitmoving said:
i was thinking that the warping of spacetime meant the warping of time as well. i used the phrase reaching back in time in a similar way to gravity reaching or warping space.
Warping means here that the distances are distorted. No idea what you mean by "reaching", but i don't think the same. Try to understand what terms actually mean, instead of inventing new synonyms for them, making it hard to understand you.
keepitmoving said:
In other words does the past still exist?
Depends what you mean by "past" and "still exist".
 
  • #7


A.T. - i appreciate the feedback. I know i`m guilty of over philosophizing physics. I should have used the words "effect the past" rather than "reaching back into the past".
I have read of some professional physicist speculating on this possibility however.
Do you think the past still exists and can it be effected.
By the way, i understand that a professional physicist can`t go willy nilly on wild speculation for professional reasons. Being a relative amateur with nothing to lose however, i can.
Just searching for true physics here!
 
  • #8


If the past still existed, it wouldn't be the past, it would be the present :wink: Seriously though, gravity doesn't do anything weird like "reaching back in time." An object cannot feel any change in gravity before the event that caused that change took place. (That's using a common-sense definition of "before")

Unfortunately, keepitmoving, I suspect that the simple language you are trying to use is just not precise enough to properly answer your question. I don't mean to sound insulting at all, it's just a fact that in order to really understand physics (such as gravity and time) you need to understand the math.
 
  • #9


keepitmoving said:
Just searching for true physics here!

Physics is the wrong place to search for truth. Try math. :wink:

certainty.png
 
  • #10


well, is the year 1856 still in existence? I know, i know, it`s a silly question.
 

FAQ: Gravity reaches across space and apparently reaches across time.

What is gravity?

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that attracts objects with mass to each other. It is responsible for the motion of planets, stars, and galaxies.

How does gravity reach across space?

Gravity is a force that acts over a distance, meaning it can reach across space. This is due to the curvature of space-time, as described by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

What do you mean by gravity reaching across time?

According to the theory of general relativity, gravity not only acts across space, but also across time. This means that the mass of an object can affect the space-time around it, causing it to curve. This curvature of space-time can then influence the motion of other objects, even if they are located in the future or the past.

How does gravity compare to other forces in the universe?

Gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental forces in the universe, but it is also the most dominant at large scales such as planetary and galactic levels. It is much weaker than electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces.

Can gravity be manipulated or controlled?

As of now, there is no known way to manipulate or control gravity. However, scientists are studying the possibility of using advanced technology to harness the power of gravity for space travel and other applications.

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