The rubber sheet analogy in Relativity

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the origins and validity of the rubber sheet analogy in the context of relativity, particularly focusing on its historical development and its effectiveness as a teaching tool. Participants explore whether this analogy is rooted in mathematical topology and its implications for understanding relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the origin of the rubber sheet analogy in relativity, suggesting it may relate to "rubber sheet geometry" in topology.
  • One participant argues that the rubber sheet analogy is fundamentally flawed and does not accurately represent the physics of relativity, describing it as a simplistic tool for laymen.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that Albert Einstein remains a suspect in the inquiry regarding the analogy's origin.
  • A request is made for an explanation of what the rubber sheet analogy entails, indicating a desire for clarification on its meaning and application.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity and usefulness of the rubber sheet analogy, with no consensus reached regarding its origins or effectiveness in conveying concepts of relativity.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the potential historical connections between topology and relativity, but lacks definitive evidence or agreement on the analogy's origins or its appropriateness in representing relativistic concepts.

geordief
Messages
224
Reaction score
50
Can anyone here settle(or contribute to ) a question that is ongoing at another forum?

Who came up with the idea of the rubber sheet analogy in Relativity?

Some there have wondered if it was the "rubber sheet geometry" as topology was described as ,apparently that may have ,perhaps unconsciously given birth to the idea as an analogy .

It seems Topology was established before Special or General Relativity was formulated...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The "rubber sheet" analogy is a deeply flawed analogy and has little or nothing to do with actual physics, it's just something that's easy to use to descirbe things to laymen.
 
geordief said:
Who came up with the idea of the rubber sheet analogy in Relativity?
If you find the culprit let us know.
 
A.T. said:
If you find the culprit let us know.
HA HA. Actually AE remains a suspect in the inquiry.

But I will let you know if we work it out.
 
geordief said:
Can anyone here settle(or contribute to ) a question that is ongoing at another forum?

Who came up with the idea of the rubber sheet analogy in Relativity?

Some there have wondered if it was the "rubber sheet geometry" as topology was described as ,apparently that may have ,perhaps unconsciously given birth to the idea as an analogy .

It seems Topology was established before Special or General Relativity was formulated...

Can you explain what the rubber sheet analogy is?
 

Similar threads

High School Rubber Bands & Paper Attraction
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
High School Question about "odometer" analogy and time dilation
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
High School Can You Use a Rubber Bracelet as a Buoyancy Reference for Freediving?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
Graduate Alternative theories to General Relativity
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Graduate Visualizing General Relativity with Fluid Analogy
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
High School Development of Special Relativity
  • · Replies 53 ·
2
Replies
53
Views
6K
High School Are silicon iron sheets really necessary for a commercial transformer?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School Is General Relativity Merely a Classical Framework for Calculations?
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
4K
Graduate Aerodynamics/Special Relativity Analogy
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Graduate Please explain General Relativity to me
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K