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View Full Version : Does the fabric of space itself cause friction?

whydoyouwanttoknow
Aug11-04, 11:30 PM
I remember reading a while ago that the fabric of space has a texture and thus would cause friction. Even in a perfect vacum a spacecraft would slow down over time due to this.

Is this an accepted theory?
jtolliver
Aug12-04, 12:27 AM
No; im sure its not an accepted theory because it would violate the basic principles behind relativity(no prefered inertial frame of reference). I've never heard of that theory either.
LURCH
Aug12-04, 01:35 PM
I think that is one explanation put forth for the acceleration of Pioneer ten. No definitive answer was ever determined, AFAIK.
Nenad
Aug13-04, 11:33 AM
well, there is Gravity probe B that is out there testing for frame dragging. This is kind of like friction, since the rotation of a body in space time causes the space time to drag with the body. This is like a mass - space time friction but Im not sure if it has any effects on mechanical friction.
Mk
Aug17-04, 04:04 AM
well, there is Gravity probe B that is out there testing for frame dragging. This is kind of like friction, since the rotation of a body in space time causes the space time to drag with the body. This is like a mass - space time friction but Im not sure if it has any effects on mechanical friction.

Yes, this is like friction, but only to spacetime. But it has no effect on mechanics, except for how the spacetime is twisted therefore causing changes in how, for example a body is sucked into a black hole... it gets sucked in with a slight curve
Nenad
Aug17-04, 10:42 AM
for example a body is sucked into a black hole... it gets sucked in with a slight curve

No actually it doesnt. We cannot see or sence this curve in space time which creates gravity. The object would not be sucked in with a curve.
LURCH
Aug17-04, 01:51 PM
Yes, this is like friction, but only to spacetime. But it has no effect on mechanics, except for how the spacetime is twisted therefore causing changes in how, for example a body is sucked into a black hole... it gets sucked in with a slight curve

If it has no mechanical effect, then the mechanism of the probe will not detect it, will it?
Nenad
Aug17-04, 04:38 PM
Exackly, there we go. It does have mechanical effect.