Warping Space in a Craft: Gravity or Conventional Energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of warping space within a spacecraft, exploring whether this phenomenon requires a gravity generator or if conventional energy sources can achieve similar effects. The conversation touches on theoretical implications from general relativity and quantum mechanics, as well as potential applications in faster-than-light travel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that any mass can warp spacetime due to its gravitational effects, as described by general relativity (GR).
  • One participant mentions the Casimir effect and negative energy densities as an alternative method to warp spacetime.
  • The Krasnikov tube is proposed as a method for faster-than-light travel, indicating practical applications of spacetime warping.
  • The Alcubierre drive is discussed as a well-known warp drive concept that requires significant negative energy, while the Van den Broeck warp drive is noted for needing less negative energy.
  • There is a question raised about the equivalence of mass and energy and whether energy levels below those produced by fusion reactors could warp space.
  • Some participants explore the idea of compressing space and the mechanics of a warp drive, likening it to surfing on a wave.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the mechanisms of warping space, with no consensus reached on whether a gravity generator is necessary or if conventional energy can suffice. The discussion includes competing models and theoretical approaches without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight different assumptions regarding energy requirements and the nature of spacetime warping, with references to specific theoretical models and principles that remain unresolved.

Bunting
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it is saidf that if you have a mass large enough, the gravity created by that mass is enough to warp space. Now people are saying that due to quantum mechanics the warping of space is viable, within a spacecraft for example. Does this require the spaceship to have some sorty of gravity generator ? producing gravitons and the such, or does it mean that conventional energy as we have it(electrical, chemical etc) can also be used to warp space ?

thanks!
 
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the warping of spacetime is quite general. it doesn t require you to have a generator, or even be a quantum system. all you have to do is have energy, and then, by einstein, you will gravitate.
 
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It should also be mentioned that "a mass large enough" and "the gravity created by that mass would be enough" are conditions satisfied by any mass with any gravity (which according to GR is any mass), since that's what gravity is; the warping of spacetime (again, according to GR).
 
ohh i see, like the sun and planets on a net model. The heavier the object the more the net (or spacetime) bends (or warps!)! :)

Thanks a lot :)
 
I believe there is another way to warp spacetime using the principles of the casimir effect using negative energy densities. I found this in S.W.Hawking's "Brief History of Time 12th anniv. Edition" pg 164-165
 
The warping of spacetime can have interesting applications. For example, consider the Krasnikov tube, a proposed method to achieve faster than light travel
 
More warp drive stuff: the Alcubierre drive is probably the most famous of all the warp drives, but it requires high quantities of negative energy, so it's practically an impossible project. But, in 1999, Van den Broeck presented another warp drive, the Van den Broeck warp drive, that improves the Alcubierre drive because it requires less negative energy
Here's the paper where Van den Broeck proposed his warp drive
http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/gr-qc/9905084
 
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Is it a mistake to suggest that mass and energy are equivalent, (E=MC sq). Anything less than the energy produced by a fusion reactor, could not warp space.Perhaps with, "time", maybe. A graviton? Warp drive?Too soon to consider, nomenclature like that. Compress space in advance of progress,riding the "warp",like surfing on a wave board. Space itself would cause the "drive" as it is, space that "pushes" you as toward a planet as if you were in an orbit.
 
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