Gravitational length contraction

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Gravitational length contraction primarily occurs in the radial direction according to the Schwarzschild metric, which suggests it does not act perpendicular to the gravitational field. The discussion raises the possibility of different outcomes when using isotropic coordinates instead of Schwarzschild coordinates. Additionally, the effects of gravitational length contraction may vary in scenarios involving acceleration, such as on a spaceship using Rindler coordinates. Ultimately, the interpretation of gravitational length contraction may depend on the choice of coordinate system rather than the underlying physics. This highlights the importance of understanding coordinate charts in the context of general relativity.
notknowing
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A short question this time :
Is the gravitational length contraction an effect which acts parallel as well as perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational field ?
I suppose it is not occurring perpendicular to it, but I might be wrong and I didn't find a good reference on it.
 
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notknowing said:
A short question this time :
Is the gravitational length contraction an effect which acts parallel as well as perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational field ?
I suppose it is not occurring perpendicular to it, but I might be wrong and I didn't find a good reference on it.

Sorry, stupid question. According to the Schwarzschild metric, it is only in the radial direction.
 
You might also want to think about:

1) what if one uses isotropic coordinates rather than Schwarzschild coordinates?

http://io.uwinnipeg.ca/~vincent/4500.6-001/Cosmology/IsotropicCoordinates.htm

2) You might also ask about what happens on an accelerating spaceship, i.e. using Rindler coordinates.

If the answer does depend on your choice of coordinates, it was really a question about coordinates (or more formally, coordinate charts) rather than a question about physics.
 
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