Uncovering the Mystery of Gravitational Entropy in Earth Science

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of gravitational entropy in the context of Earth science, particularly focusing on the 100-kyr orbital eccentricity cycle of Earth and its implications for ice ages. Participants explore the relationship between gravitational forces, tidal effects, and the entropy of matter, while also considering various factors influencing climate and geological changes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that a gravitational entropy gradient exists, suggesting that gravitational force increases towards the center of the Earth in a non-linear manner, which could amplify tidal effects.
  • Another participant challenges this idea, stating that gravitational force actually decreases towards the center of the Earth and is zero at the center, questioning the validity of the proposed gravitational entropy gradient.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of reports or established theories regarding the concept of gravitational entropy in this context.
  • Several participants discuss the complexity of climate cycles, noting that many factors influencing climate are not universally understood and that predicting climate changes remains uncertain.
  • Participants reference historical climate events and their potential connections to current theories, suggesting that Earth's axial tilt and continental drift may also play significant roles in climate dynamics.
  • Some participants mention mathematical principles, such as integral calculus and Gauss' law, as foundational to understanding gravitational forces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the nature of gravitational forces and the validity of the gravitational entropy hypothesis. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus reached on the proposed ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of Earth science and climate modeling, indicating that many assumptions and factors are still under investigation. The discussion reflects a range of perspectives on the interplay between gravitational forces and climate phenomena.

Mammo
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In Earth science there is a paradox of the 100-kyr orbital eccentricity of the Earth about the Sun. The Greenland and Antarctic ice cores show that the 100-kyr cycle is the most dominent in driving the advance and retreat of the ice ages. But the solar radiation increase is universally excepted to be too small to be the direct driving force. Similarly the gravitational difference of around a 6% change in eccentricity is considered too small to influence the tides in a significant way. There is a possibility though that this tidal effect could be amplified if the Earth is considered to have a gravitational entropy gradient. By this I mean that the gravitational force experienced by matter increases towards the center of the Earth i.e. it is non-linear. This is not to be confused with a simple increase in density. It is the entropy of matter itself which I propose is reducing towards the center of the Earth. Has anyone ever thought of this before? I can't find any reports on this hypothesis. Can anyone help?
 
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Mammo said:
In Earth science there is a paradox of the 100-kyr orbital eccentricity of the Earth about the Sun. The Greenland and Antarctic ice cores show that the 100-kyr cycle is the most dominent in driving the advance and retreat of the ice ages. But the solar radiation increase is universally excepted to be too small to be the direct driving force. Similarly the gravitational difference of around a 6% change in eccentricity is considered too small to influence the tides in a significant way. There is a possibility though that this tidal effect could be amplified if the Earth is considered to have a gravitational entropy gradient.
According to who?

By this I mean that the gravitational force experienced by matter increases towards the center of the Earth i.e. it is non-linear.
As it turns out, the gravitational force on a given object decreases towards the center of the Earth (it is exactly zero at the center).

This is not to be confused with a simple increase in density.
If I'm not mistaken, the gravitational field decreases with diminishing radial distance from the center of a sphere no matter what the radial density distribution of the sphere. In any case, it decreases linearly for a planet of uniform density.

It is the entropy of matter itself which I propose is reducing towards the center of the Earth. Has anyone ever thought of this before? I can't find any reports on this hypothesis. Can anyone help?
The entropy of matter is virtually unaffected by terrestrial gravitational fields. Besides, personal theories and speculation therefrom are not permitted here.
 
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Mammo...welcome...

Lot's more complicated paradox's exist than you mention!

when I first heard about man made global warming I started studying to see what was known (very little) and what was unknown ( a lot). There are many, many more "cycles" than you mention, many more factors than have been properly modeled. Their significance is not universally understood.

The fact is that no one knows how to predict next weeks weather let alone the beginnings of the next ice age. Nor the movements of the ice sheets, For example, As I understand things, todays placement of the continents as a result of eons of drift has a potentially significant effect on warming/cooling since different locations get varying amounts of solar heat...and land and water absorb/reflect heat very differently.

Also I found it interesting that some history of the Earth shows life emerging, then being almost extinguished via vast ice sheets which encircled the Earth to a depth of perhaps miles...yet something caused those to retreat and modern lifeforms emerged...with merely the artic and antarctic ice sheets remaining...

Earth's tilt on it's axis is another factor that comes to mind...and sunspot activity...
 
Gokul43201 said:
As it turns out, the gravitational force on a given object decreases towards the center of the Earth (it is exactly zero at the center).
Just curious. How is this proven/known?
 
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nuby said:
Just curious. How is this proven/known?

Integral calculus.
 
nuby said:
Just curious. How is this proven/known?

Gauss' law is quite nicely applicable here; although normally used for electric fields, i think it holds perfectly well for gravity since both fields are inversely squared proportional to distance. Just swap the right parameters and constants: charge with mass, etc.
 
Naty1 said:
Mammo...welcome...

Lot's more complicated paradox's exist than you mention!

when I first heard about man made global warming I started studying to see what was known (very little) and what was unknown ( a lot). There are many, many more "cycles" than you mention, many more factors than have been properly modeled. Their significance is not universally understood.

The fact is that no one knows how to predict next weeks weather let alone the beginnings of the next ice age. Nor the movements of the ice sheets, For example, As I understand things, todays placement of the continents as a result of eons of drift has a potentially significant effect on warming/cooling since different locations get varying amounts of solar heat...and land and water absorb/reflect heat very differently.

Also I found it interesting that some history of the Earth shows life emerging, then being almost extinguished via vast ice sheets which encircled the Earth to a depth of perhaps miles...yet something caused those to retreat and modern lifeforms emerged...with merely the artic and antarctic ice sheets remaining...

Earth's tilt on it's axis is another factor that comes to mind...and sunspot activity...

Naty1, thank you. Someone who is on our wavelength. Paleoclimatology is a fascinating subject which I have been studying over the last 4 months or so. There is so much confusion and so much which is simply unknown. It reminded me of the current situation with modern physics. Hence I made a connection between the two. Andre and I are battling out the data and theories in the Earth Science section. Background reading is essential to get to grips with this subject, I recommend 'The Two Mile Time Machine' by Richard Alley and the original text 'Ice Ages: Solving The Mystery' by Imbrie and Imbrie. I've come from a physics background and have been formulating the concept of gravitational entropy for years. It simply means that the tidal bulge becomes exaggerated with reducing distance and fits like a glove to solve both the 100-kyr eccentricity cycle and the millennial cycle.

A quick link is given here Earth science thread which then has links to specific reports.
 
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Any physics present in this thread has been covered.

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