Mass is not the cause of gravity?

[Brady Campbell]

If the effects of gravity are relative to an objects stress-energy-momentum tensor, is the equation:
Fg = Gm1m2/r^2
fundamentally flawed since it is based off the mass of the two objects? Ignoring the "gravity isn't a force" (I understand that it is what is observed due to curves in spacetime) argument if at all possible. Simply put, does this formula accurately predict how "normal" objects will be effected by gravity or is it just wrong?

 

[Dale]

It is accurate enough for rockets, satellites, and all sorts of other purposes. It is a good approximation for many things where the mass energy is the only significant non zero component of the stress energy tensor.

 

[pervect]

If the effects of gravity are relative to an objects stress-energy-momentum tensor, is the equation:
Fg = Gm1m2/r^2
fundamentally flawed since it is based off the mass of the two objects? Ignoring the "gravity isn't a force" (I understand that it is what is observed due to curves in spacetime) argument if at all possible. Simply put, does this formula accurately predict how "normal" objects will be effected by gravity or is it just wrong?

As others have mentioned, it's a good approxiation, but don't expect it to work for relativistic flybys and/or light deflection (where the momentum components become important), or black holes (where the pressure terms become important, even dominant).

 

[Nugatory]

Simply put, does this formula accurately predict how "normal" objects will be effected by gravity or is it just wrong?

Neither. Take a look at http://chem.tufts.edu/AnswersInScience/RelativityofWrong.htm to see why this isn't an either/or thing where one of the alternatives is "it's just wrong".

 

[sardar]

I would like to clarify that the statement "mass is not the cause of gravity" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that gravity is not a force in the traditional sense, it is still a fundamental force of nature that is caused by the presence of mass and energy in the universe.

The equation Fg = Gm1m2/r^2, also known as Newton's law of universal gravitation, is a simplified version of the more complex equations used in general relativity to describe gravity. It is based on the assumption that mass is the only factor affecting the strength of the gravitational force between two objects.

However, the effects of gravity are not solely determined by an object's mass. As mentioned in the content, the stress-energy-momentum tensor, which takes into account an object's energy, momentum, and pressure, also plays a role in the curvature of spacetime and thus the strength of gravity.

Therefore, while the equation may accurately predict the gravitational force between "normal" objects, it is not a complete representation of how gravity works. In order to fully understand and predict the effects of gravity, we must consider the more complex equations of general relativity and take into account all factors, including mass, energy, and momentum.