Gravity and the Speed of Light

In summary, the effects of gravity are limited by the speed of light, meaning that the gravitational effects of a distant object will not be felt until the light from that object has reached the observer. This has been confirmed through various experiments and observations, including the detection of gravity waves from supernova explosions. Additionally, the speed of light remains constant regardless of the observer's own speed, as demonstrated by the thought experiment involving a vessel traveling at the speed of light. However, when an observer is also moving at high speeds, the perceived speed of light may be altered due to the relative motion.
  • #1
AdkinsJr
150
0
hmmmm, let's say I'm floating about in space, and all of a sudden a giant star magically zaps into existence a few thousand light seconds away. Do I feel the gravity then and there? Or do I have to wait few thousand light seconds for the gravity to "get to me?" Are the effects of gravity limited by the speed of light?
 
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  • #2
AdkinsJr said:
Are the effects of gravity limited by the speed of light?

Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/grav_speed.html"
 
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  • #3
There were many discussions about that matter.
But conclusion is no velocity are over the speed of light.
One of the phenomena related to gravity is supernova explosion.
At that time very big gravity wave is created.
We made a big instrument to detect it.
But, till now we could not detect that wave in the earth.
Many detections were established only by telescope.
The fast gravity disappeance of the far away stars bring about the light intensity variation.
 
  • #4
I think you might see it a little after it happened...This is going to be hard to explain...Ok if your on a vessel traveling at the speed of light...you shine a light forward and you can still measure the speed of light...That should make your light twice the speed of light but it isnt, you will measure your light at the speed of light. In the same way if you come upon a star you won't see the light (forgive the pun) till a little after the light was generated
 
  • #5
"No velocity are over the speed of light."
From here, the light speed means vacuum speed.
If anyone go to you about 1/2 light speed with a candle, the light speed is same.
At that time, you can see the light whose wave length is more shorter than before.

some one---------------------------------------------------------> you
........1/2 light speed
light==================================> you
........ vacuum light speed .NOT. 3/2 light speed
When some one is in the rocket with a candle.
The light in the rocket is the same speed of light, and the man feels same feeling.
But the speed difference is 3/2 of the fixed position.
When the light is come out of the rocket, the speed difference is lowered and the light speed would become vacuum speed.
In the air light speed is lower than vacuum.
 
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1. What is the relationship between gravity and the speed of light?

The speed of light, denoted by the symbol c, is the fastest speed at which energy and information can travel in the universe. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, gravity is the curvature of space and time caused by the presence of massive objects. This means that gravity can also affect the speed of light. The closer you are to a massive object, the more it will affect the path of light and slow it down. However, for most practical purposes, the speed of light is considered constant and unaffected by gravity.

2. How does gravity affect the trajectory of light?

Gravity can bend the trajectory of light, just like it does for any other object with mass. This phenomenon is known as gravitational lensing. The more massive the object, the stronger the gravitational pull, and the more significant the bending of light will be. This effect has been observed and verified through various experiments and observations, such as when light from distant galaxies is bent by the gravity of large galaxy clusters.

3. Is the speed of light the same everywhere in the universe?

Yes, the speed of light is considered a universal constant, meaning it remains the same no matter where you are in the universe. This has been confirmed through numerous experiments and observations, including the famous Michelson-Morley experiment, which showed that the speed of light is the same in all directions.

4. Can anything travel faster than the speed of light?

According to our current understanding of physics, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. This is because as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass also increases, making it more difficult to accelerate further. Additionally, the laws of physics, such as causality, would be violated if anything were to travel faster than the speed of light.

5. How does the speed of light affect the concept of time?

One of the most fascinating consequences of Einstein's theory of relativity is that the speed of light is also the cosmic speed limit for the transfer of information. This means that as an object approaches the speed of light, time slows down for that object relative to an observer. This phenomenon is known as time dilation and has been demonstrated through various experiments, including the famous Hafele-Keating experiment where atomic clocks were flown around the world at different speeds.

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