Calculating Curvature of Space-Time for a Body of Mass

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the curvature of space-time created by a body of mass, specifically comparing the effects of the Sun and Earth. Participants explore the relationship between gravitational acceleration and light deflection angles in the context of general relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the equation used to determine the curvature a body of mass creates, referencing the known deflection of light around the Sun as 1.75 arc-seconds.
  • Another participant clarifies that the 1.75 arc-seconds refers to the angle of deflection of light passing through the Sun's Schwarzschild field and suggests that the Earth’s deflection would be approximately 3300 times less.
  • A request is made for the specific constants and the deflection formula used in these calculations.
  • A formula for calculating light deflection is provided, referencing a source on group theory and general relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial approach to calculating Earth's curvature, but there is agreement on the formula for light deflection provided by one participant.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the assumptions underlying the calculations or the specific constants needed for the Earth’s deflection, leaving some steps and dependencies unclear.

Enos
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What equation do you use to find the curvature a body of mass creates? I know the answer for the suns mass is 1.75 arc-seconds. So if I took the g of the sun and divided it by the g of the Earth and divided 1.75 arc-seconds by the ratio of the g difference would I get the Earth's curvature. Which is about 0.0626 arc-seconds from what I'm doing.

If I knew the formula that is used to get the answer for the sun things would be so much easier. Thanks for any help.
 
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You're mixing them up.That 1.75 arcseconds is the angle of deflection of a ray of light in passing through Sun's Schwarzschild field.

You can compute for Earth,simply inserting the appropriate constants into the deflection formula.It's approximately 3300 times less.

Daniel.
 
Can you share the appropriate constants and the deflection formula? :)
 
Sure.

[tex]\Delta\phi=4\frac{G m_{source}}{c^{2}R_{rource}}[/tex]

Source:M.Carmeli,"Group Theory and General Relativity",McGraw-Hill,1977,p.155.

Daniel.
 
Thank you. :)
 

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