Understanding How Gravity Bends Light and Relates to General Relativity

In summary: Hi moatasim...In summary, according to the equivalence principle, gravity must warp space time in the same way as acceleration does.
  • #1
moatasim23
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I have read in my Physics book that if gravitational acc and inertial acc are equivalent then gravity must bend light by a precise amount.
What that means?What is inertial acc?
What that equivalency has to do with general theory of relativity i.e with warping of space time?
 
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  • #2
moatasim23 said:
I have read in my Physics book that if gravitational acc and inertial acc are equivalent then gravity must bend light by a precise amount.
What that means?What is inertial acc?
What that equivalency has to do with general theory of relativity i.e with warping of space time?

Suppose you are in a rocket ship that is accelerating. Then light must be going from A to B must follow a curve, because the space the light is passing through is accelerating. The light doesn't know anything about that, it follows a straight line relative to the moment it was emitted.

By equivalence light must do the same thing in gravity. YOu can call that warping of space time.
 
  • #3
Hi moatasim...

It turns out that based on experimental observation gravitational mass and inertial mass are apparently equal...that is not a required part of physics.

See equivalence principle in wikipedia for more.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivalence_principle


Einstein had great intuition and realized that an observer in a uniform gravitational field would make the same observations as an accelerating observer: so, for example, if you are inside a stationary elevator WITH a gravitational field you feel you feet pressing against the floor...just like you do in an accelerating elevator without any gravitational field (say in outer space).

So he figured gravitational mass and inertial (accelerating) mass would have the same measures...and he could guess about characteristics of gravity by applying what he knew about acceleration.
 
  • #4
That was really helping!
 
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I can confirm that the concept of gravity bending light is a crucial component of understanding general relativity. In simple terms, this phenomenon refers to the way in which light is affected by the presence of massive objects, such as planets, stars, and galaxies.

To fully understand this concept, we must first define inertial acceleration, which refers to the acceleration of an object due to a force acting on it. In the case of gravity, this force is the gravitational pull of massive objects. Inertial acceleration is equivalent to gravitational acceleration, meaning that the effects of gravity on an object can also be interpreted as the object being accelerated.

This equivalency has a significant impact on the general theory of relativity, which describes gravity as the curvature of space-time caused by the presence of massive objects. In other words, massive objects warp the fabric of space-time, and this warping is what causes objects to experience the effects of gravity.

By understanding the equivalence between inertial and gravitational acceleration, we can better comprehend how the warping of space-time leads to the bending of light. This concept has been confirmed through various experiments, such as the observation of starlight bending around the Sun during a solar eclipse.

In summary, the understanding of how gravity bends light and its relationship to general relativity is crucial in our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature and the behavior of objects in our universe.
 

1. How does gravity bend light?

According to the theory of general relativity, gravity is the result of the curvature of space-time caused by massive objects. When light travels through this curved space-time, it follows the path of least resistance, which appears to us as a curved trajectory. This phenomenon is known as gravitational lensing.

2. Can gravity bend light from any source?

Yes, gravity can bend light from any source, including stars, galaxies, and even clusters of galaxies. The amount of bending depends on the mass and distance of the object causing the gravitational field.

3. How does Einstein's theory of general relativity explain the bending of light by gravity?

Einstein's theory states that gravity is not a force between objects, but rather the result of the curvature of space-time caused by mass and energy. This curvature affects the path of light, causing it to bend towards the object with the strongest gravitational pull.

4. What is the significance of understanding how gravity bends light?

Understanding how gravity bends light is crucial for our understanding of the universe. It allows us to observe and study distant objects that would otherwise be invisible due to their faint light. It also confirms the predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity, which has revolutionized our understanding of gravity.

5. Are there any practical applications of gravitational lensing?

Yes, gravitational lensing has several practical applications. For example, it is used in astronomy to study the properties of distant galaxies and to detect dark matter. It can also be used in the future to create more powerful telescopes and improve our ability to observe and study the universe.

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