Does something like anti-gravity exist, in theory?

In summary, the concept of anti-gravity, or negative mass, exists in theory as a result of quantum and relativity effects. While there is some evidence for its existence, such as the Casimir effect, it is still uncertain and requires further research. Black holes and other objects with negative energy densities can exhibit "anti-gravity" effects, but this does not mean they have negative mass. Overall, the concept of negative mass and its effects on gravity are still being studied and understood.
  • #1
JV
24
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Does something like anti-gravity exist, in theory? I mean two masses repeling each other. Or in terms of space-time: an upward curving.
And if so, does that result in anti-mass?
 
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  • #2
JV said:
Does something like anti-gravity exist, in theory? I mean two masses repeling each other. Or in terms of space-time: an upward curving.
And if so, does that result in anti-mass?

The idea of negative mass certainly exists, and is sometimes known by the name "exotic matter". It's physical existence is somewhat uncertain at this point, though there are regions of negative energy density due to a quantum mechanical effect known as the Casimir force.

Regions with a negative energy density would have a negative space-time curvature and repel any matter near them, just as regions of postive energy attract matter.

Note that near a large mass of matter, both positive and negative mass objects would fall "down". Near a large quantity of negative-mass (exotic matter), objects would fall "up".

The reason that negative matter would fall "down" near the Earth can be described in a couple of ways. One way is this - the principle of equivalence says that a negative mass object would have both a negative inertial and gravitational mass. So it would be repelled by a nearby massive object, but it would move towards the repulsive force, because of it's negative mass.

The other way of explaining why a negative mass would fall down is the prpinciple of equivalence. Heavy objects fall at the same rate as light objects, they both follow geodesics. The situation with negative mass objects would be no different - they'd fall at the same rate as anything else.
 
  • #3
JV said:
Does something like anti-gravity exist, in theory? I mean two masses repeling each other. Or in terms of space-time: an upward curving.
And if so, does that result in anti-mass?

QUOTE=JV]Does something like anti-gravity exist, in theory? I mean two masses repeling each other. Or in terms of space-time: an upward curving.
And if so, does that result in anti-mass?[/QUOTE]

Lets take some simple examples:
JV said:
Does something like anti-gravity exist, in theory?
Yes, if one does some simplistic calculations for Black Holes, one can see that for certain quantifiable products near the Local Horizon there exists a segment where one can cross into the inner Horizon or one can be deemed to be "hovering" at a location just outside, this can be deemed as "anti-gravity" by another observer at a far away location who is looking in the direction of the Blackhole.

All speculation of course, but there is evidence from Relativity, just being inderstood.

Then there is the product which Einstein spen many days pondering, the REPULSIVE GRAVITY, products known as Gravity Repulsion. The Einstein Field equations state that the Stress Energy Tensor can evolve into actions that are opposite to normal Gravity, 'positive attractive MASSES '.

The simplistic view is that there are Negative regions where the fabric of Space (NOT SPACETIME), expand and contract in response to the Vacuum Field, Quantumly these are bits of Energy that are Electro-Magnetic, or FLUX. Now at a certain limits portions of Flux resonate in phase, this is what Einstein introduced as the Cosmologic Constant, and matter and Gravity are attracted in a positive manner via regeons of Spacetimes. But external to Spacetimes there is just Space, or Vacuum, this area can be very unstable, as the Positive energy and Negative energies flit in and out of existence, mostly as <-> and <+> which cancel each other out, which gives stable Flux, or background to Space.

Now when the products expand further by the location of two <-> <-> negative bits of space they deviate out of equilibrium, and are exponential greater in size so <-> becomes <-->..next evolving into expanding regeons
<---->...<-------->, this is the Negative Repulsive Force know to be causing the Accelerated Expansion of intervening Space of the Universe.

One can almost state that Universe has stopped creating matter, and as matter is condensing less, space is expanding greater, eventually the expansion will surround the remnant 'Universe' matter, crushing matter out of existence,(from the outside in, contraction) and will invoke a Gravitational reversal..or Big-Bang, where the Universe is turned around 'inside-out'(expansion) and the whole process cycles on...

P.S if one asserts a NEGATIVE region of space to be a Blackhole, then one piece of Positive matter will allways be attracted to this region, and thus a small black hole just out side the Earths Atmosphere will surely attract the Earth, and not the other way around, things on the Earths surface would catagorically Fall up!..towards the Blackhole, or negative region.
 
  • #4
Wave's_Hand_Particle said:
P.S if one asserts a NEGATIVE region of space to be a Blackhole, then one piece of Positive matter will allways be attracted to this region, and thus a small black hole just out side the Earths Atmosphere will surely attract the Earth, and not the other way around.
This seems a strange statement to me. I would expect that all the objects (both BH and earth) will fall toward the center of gravity. The Earth also has an attractive force on the BH.


Wave's_Hand_Particle said:
things on the Earths surface would catagorically Fall up!..towards the Blackhole, or negative region.
This would be a way for us to simulate anti-gravity. Take a BH near the Earth and objects will fallup. So will this in formulas mean that there is a negative region on earth?
 
  • #5
is dark energy causing some sort of antigravity effect, that's why the rate of expansion of our universe is getting much faster.
 
  • #6
I don't think it's at all correct to view a black hole as having negative mass. It has a positive mass.

I believe it's true that the space-time region outside a black hole can have a negative mass density (energy density) due to quantum effects.

However, the net mass of a black hole is still positive.

A similar situation exists with the Casimir effect I mentioned. The region between two conducting plates has a negative energy density. The plates themselves, being made out of matter, have a positive energy density.
 
  • #7
Y'know, it warms the cockles of my heart that in this thread, and a couple of other previous threads on "anti-gravity" that were eventually moved into the TD section, no one, including the quacks, mentioned anything about the Podkletnov effect. The thought that this thing is finally on its way into oblivion that even cranks don't remember it, well, it just leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy.

:)

Zz.

[Drat! Of course, now *I* had to spoil it by mentioning about the damn thing!] :)
 

1. What is anti-gravity?

Anti-gravity is a theoretical concept in physics that describes a hypothetical force or field that would repel objects rather than attract them, essentially allowing them to float or levitate.

2. Is anti-gravity possible?

As of now, there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of anti-gravity. However, some theories and models in physics, such as string theory and general relativity, suggest that it may be possible under certain conditions.

3. How does anti-gravity differ from gravity?

Gravity is a well-established force that acts between objects with mass, causing them to be attracted to each other. Anti-gravity, on the other hand, is a hypothetical force that would repel objects and counteract the effects of gravity.

4. Have there been any experiments to test anti-gravity?

There have been some attempts to test the existence of anti-gravity, but so far, none have yielded conclusive results. Some scientists have proposed using advanced technologies, such as superconductors and magnetic fields, to try and create an anti-gravity effect, but these experiments have not been successful.

5. Could anti-gravity be used for space travel?

While it is an intriguing idea, there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that anti-gravity could be harnessed for space travel. Even if it were possible, it would require a tremendous amount of energy and technology that is currently beyond our capabilities.

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