How Spacetime is Stretched/Compressed: Experiments?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of spacetime being stretched or compressed and whether it is meant to be taken literally or as a way of describing curved space. The speaker also mentions the possibility of determining thicker or thinner areas of spacetime experimentally through observing the rate of falling objects and tidal effects. However, the theory does not provide information on the cause of these movements.
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fys iks!
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Hey

When someone says that spacetime is stretched or compressed, is it meant to be taken literally? If so how would one determine which areas of spacetime are thicker/thinner
(i know we can look at the metric but I am talking about experimentally how would we know)? Or is this just another way of saying space is curved?

thanks
 
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Experimentally we can observe the rate that something falls and measure tidal effects, both being effects of spacetime curvature, or compression or whatever you call it. But the theory tells us nothing about what is actually there, causing things to move.
 

FAQ: How Spacetime is Stretched/Compressed: Experiments?

How do we know that spacetime can be stretched or compressed?

Scientists have conducted numerous experiments and observations that confirm the existence of spacetime and its ability to be stretched or compressed. For example, the bending of light by massive objects, such as black holes, is a direct evidence of spacetime being curved. Additionally, the precision measurements of the orbit of Mercury also provide evidence for the curvature of spacetime.

What is the concept of spacetime dilation?

Spacetime dilation is the phenomenon where time passes at different rates for objects in different gravitational fields. This is due to the curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects. The closer an object is to a massive object, the slower time passes for that object compared to a more distant object.

Can we observe the stretching or compression of spacetime directly?

No, we cannot directly observe the stretching or compression of spacetime. However, we can observe its effects on objects and phenomena in space, such as the bending of light or changes in the orbit of planets. These observations and experiments provide evidence for the existence and behavior of spacetime.

Are there any current experiments that study the stretching or compression of spacetime?

Yes, there are several ongoing experiments that study the effects of spacetime on various phenomena. For example, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detects gravitational waves, which are ripples in spacetime caused by massive objects. These waves provide valuable information about the stretching and compression of spacetime.

How does the theory of relativity explain the stretching and compression of spacetime?

The theory of relativity, specifically the general theory of relativity, provides a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of spacetime. It explains that the presence of mass and energy causes spacetime to curve and that objects moving through this curved spacetime will experience time dilation and space contraction. This theory has been extensively tested and confirmed through experiments, providing a solid understanding of how spacetime is stretched and compressed.

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