B Analogies for Gravitational Attraction in Physics

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The discussion explores the concept of gravitational attraction and its analogy in physics, particularly focusing on how mass-energy curves spacetime. The Wheeler description highlights the relationship between mass and spacetime, prompting inquiries about similar scenarios in physics where objects exclusively attract each other. The trampoline analogy is criticized for inadequately representing the complexities of gravity, as it only illustrates spatial curvature rather than the full scope of gravitational effects. A video by A.T. is mentioned as a more accurate representation, based on Lewis Carroll Epstein's "Relativity Visualised." The conversation emphasizes the search for better analogies to understand gravitational attraction without the influence of repulsion.
geordief
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We have the trampoline to be sure but are there others?
I am thinking of the mechanism that causes mass-energy to curve spacetime

We have the Wheeler (was it ?)description, viz approx "mass tells spacetime how to curve and spacetime tells matter how to move...".

Are there any analogous circumstances in other areas of physics where all (or a subgroup of)objects attract each other and never repel?

I am just asking for the sake of being able to get some kind of intuition as to the effect and not in any hope that this might offer any real insight...
 
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The trampoline is a terrible analogy because it's demonstrating spatial curvature, which is only a tiny part of gravity in all but the most extreme circumstances. The ##tt## component of the Schwarzschild metric, which is responsible for almost all day to day gravitational effects, is not illustrated at all.

@A.T. produced this video, which is a much more honest illustration. I believe he says it is based on representations in the book "Relativity visualised" by Lewis Carroll Epstein.
 
Ibix said:
The trampoline is a terrible analogy because it's demonstrating spatial curvature, which is only a tiny part of gravity in all but the most extreme circumstances. The ##tt## component of the Schwarzschild metric, which is responsible for almost all day to day gravitational effects, is not illustrated at all.

@A.T. produced this video, which is a much more honest illustration. I believe he says it is based on representations in the book "Relativity visualised" by Lewis Carroll Epstein.

Yes,I have seen that one.

I would class that as an analogy too (and yes,I am asking for analogies) but I was fishing for some kind of a circumstance where all (or all of a class of) objects exert a force of attraction on each other-no repulsion involved.

As I say ,it is just a request based on personal curiosity rather than based on anything of threal importance.

Edit: see you have changed the video.Will have a look at it later

Edit#2 the video seems to have "reverted back" Apologies.

Seems to be a smorgasbord of related videos showing .I can't keep up with this new fangled youtube thing.
 
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Moderator's note: Spin-off from another thread due to topic change. In the second link referenced, there is a claim about a physical interpretation of frame field. Consider a family of observers whose worldlines fill a region of spacetime. Each of them carries a clock and a set of mutually orthogonal rulers. Each observer points in the (timelike) direction defined by its worldline's tangent at any given event along it. What about the rulers each of them carries ? My interpretation: each...

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