Exploring the Speed of Gravity: Real Experiments and Thought Experiments

In summary, the speed of gravity is the rate at which gravitational force travels through space and is the same as the speed of light according to Einstein's theory of general relativity. It cannot be directly measured, but scientists use various methods such as observing the effects of gravitational waves and studying celestial orbits to estimate its speed. Real experiments and thought experiments are used to explore the implications of the speed of gravity. While current theories suggest it is the same as the speed of light, alternative theories propose it may be faster or slower. The speed of gravity plays a crucial role in the functioning of our solar system and the universe, but its impact on our daily lives is not directly noticeable.
  • #1
Alvydas
83
0
Can you advice a good list of real experiments related to speed of gravity?

And here is simple thought experiment:

version 1 with Shapiro delay
.....................|
.....................|
....................|
(source of gravitational and light wave)..>......(star)
.....................|
.....................|
.....................|
version 2 without Shapiro delay

As I understand wavefront of light would look like in version 1.
But which type of wavefront would have gravitational wave?
 
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  • #2
Kopeikin and Formalont [http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/03110632003] [Broken] is one example. It is, however, controversial.
 
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1. What is the speed of gravity?

The speed of gravity is the rate at which gravitational force travels through space. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, the speed of gravity is the same as the speed of light, which is about 299,792,458 meters per second.

2. How is the speed of gravity measured?

The speed of gravity cannot be measured directly, as it is extremely fast and difficult to detect. However, scientists use various methods such as observing the effects of gravitational waves and studying the orbits of celestial bodies to estimate its speed.

3. What are real experiments and thought experiments in relation to the speed of gravity?

Real experiments involve conducting physical experiments in a controlled environment to observe and measure the effects of gravity. Thought experiments, on the other hand, are hypothetical scenarios that are used to explore the implications of different theories and concepts, such as the speed of gravity.

4. Can the speed of gravity be faster or slower than the speed of light?

According to current theories, the speed of gravity is the same as the speed of light. However, some alternative theories suggest that it may be faster or slower. Further research and experiments are needed to confirm or refute these theories.

5. How does the speed of gravity impact our daily lives?

The speed of gravity plays a crucial role in the functioning of our solar system and the universe. It determines the movement and interactions of celestial bodies, and without it, our planet and other objects in space would not be able to maintain their orbits. However, its impact on our daily lives is not directly noticeable as it is extremely fast and difficult to detect on a small scale.

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