How much is space bended at the surface of the sun

Thread starter Bjarne
Start date Mar 9, 2011
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Space Sun Surface The sun

In summary, space near the surface of the sun is bent due to the intense gravitational pull of the sun, as explained by Einstein's theory of general relativity. The amount of bending varies, but near the surface it is about 0.87 arcseconds. This bending of space affects the orbits of planets and can also impact the path of light, as observed during solar eclipses. However, it is not solely responsible for the formation of black holes, as they are created through the collapse of massive stars.

Mar 9, 2011

Bjarne

How much is space bended at the surface of the sun, only due to gravity?
And how can it be calculated ?

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Mar 9, 2011

bcrowell

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http://www.lightandmatter.com/html_books/genrel/ch06/ch06.html#Section6.2

See subsection 6.2.7.

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1. How is space bent at the surface of the sun?

The space near the surface of the sun is bent due to the intense gravitational pull of the sun. This bending of space is a result of Einstein's theory of general relativity, which explains how massive objects like the sun can warp the fabric of space.

2. How much does space bend near the surface of the sun?

The amount of bending of space near the surface of the sun is significant, but it varies depending on the distance from the surface. Near the surface, space is bent by about 0.87 arcseconds, which is equivalent to about 1/3,000th of a degree.

3. Does space bending near the sun affect the orbits of planets?

Yes, the bending of space near the sun does impact the orbits of planets in our solar system. This effect, known as gravitational lensing, causes the paths of planets to curve slightly as they travel around the sun. However, this effect is relatively small and does not significantly alter the orbits of planets.

4. How does the bending of space near the sun affect light?

The bending of space near the sun also has an impact on light. Light passing near the sun is bent by the curvature of space, causing it to appear slightly distorted. This effect has been observed during solar eclipses, where the sun's gravity bends the light from distant stars, making them appear in slightly different positions than they would without the sun's gravitational pull.

5. Is space bending near the sun responsible for the formation of black holes?

While the intense gravitational pull of the sun does cause space to bend, it is not the sole factor in the formation of black holes. Black holes form when a massive star collapses under its own gravity, creating a singularity where the density and gravitational pull are infinitely high. This process is not directly related to the bending of space near the sun.