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webboffin
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Like water is displaced by a solid object.
webboffin said:Like water is displaced by a solid object.
Nugatory said:There's no particular reason to believe that there is such a thing as the fabric of space. It's not part of the math, no experiment has ever been devised that might give a different result depending on whether it existed or not, and there's nothing that is better explained if it does exist than if it doesn't.
You'll see the word "fabric" used sometimes as a metaphor or analogy in non-mathematical descriptions of General Relativity, but that's just a metaphor; no one is saying that there's a real fabric out there that could be displaced.
What list of properties must something have to be considered a "fabric"?webboffin said:But space can be warped, bent and twisted by gravity so it has physical properties and dimensions.
webboffin said:But space can be warped, bent and twisted by gravity so it has physical properties and dimensions.
ZapperZ said:It is SPACETIME that is affected by the presence of mass, not just space. In SR and GR, they are coupled together. This is why trying to picture this as a "fabric" is inaccurate. An analogy can only go so far before it becomes nonsensical if one tries to take it seriously.
Zz.
The fabric of space, also known as spacetime, is the theoretical concept that combines the three dimensions of space with the dimension of time. It is often described as a flexible, 4-dimensional "fabric" that can be affected by the presence of mass and energy.
When a mass object, such as a planet or star, is present in the fabric of space, it causes a curvature or "dent" in the fabric. This is due to the object's gravitational pull, which affects the fabric of space itself.
The fabric of space is affected by any object with mass or energy. The larger the mass or energy of the object, the greater the curvature it will cause in the fabric of space. However, even small objects can have an effect, albeit a very small one.
Yes, the displacement of the fabric of space has practical implications in the field of astrophysics. It helps us understand the behavior of objects in space, such as the orbit of planets around a star, and can also help us make predictions about the movement of celestial bodies.
Yes, the displacement of the fabric of space is a well-established concept in the field of physics. It is supported by numerous experiments and observations, such as the bending of starlight by the sun's gravity and the detection of gravitational waves. However, as with any scientific theory, it is always subject to further research and refinement.