Can an Object Falling in Infinite Gravity Break the Speed of Light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of whether an object falling in a gravitational field with an infinitely long radius can eventually exceed the speed of light. Participants explore concepts related to gravity, acceleration, and the implications of special relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, citing the principles of special relativity.
  • Others question the reasoning behind this assertion and inquire about the nature of acceleration in an infinite gravitational field.
  • One participant discusses the complexities of constant acceleration and introduces concepts such as Rindler horizons and the limitations of classical mechanics in relativistic contexts.
  • Another participant argues that if an object is in a gravitational field with an infinitely long radius, it may imply a different set of physical laws, potentially in an alternative universe.
  • Several participants mention the concept of escape velocity and how it relates to the speed of an object as it moves away from a gravitational source.
  • There are discussions about the energy required to reach light speed and the implications of applying a constant force over time, referencing the kinetic energy formula and velocity addition in special relativity.
  • Some participants express frustration with "why" questions in physics, suggesting that they lead to metaphysical discussions rather than scientific ones.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the implications of an infinite gravitational field and whether it could allow for faster-than-light travel. While some maintain that the laws of physics prohibit such speeds, others propose alternative scenarios that challenge this view.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the speculative nature of scenarios involving infinite distances and the challenges of applying classical mechanics in relativistic contexts. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of these ideas.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring advanced concepts in physics, particularly in the realms of relativity, gravitational theory, and the philosophical implications of physical laws.

  • #31
mfb said:
4200 parsecs away is still within our galaxy, where expansion does not happen.

OOPS. My bad. Thanks for that correction. I can add, but I can't multiply :smile:


We can see objects 4,200 Mpc away, but only in a state how they looked like several billion years ago. The border where we will never be able to see their current state is somewhere at this distance. They don't freeze in spacetime, but our view on them will freeze.

Hm ... I don't follow. How does our view of them freeze? Wouldn't they just fade into darkness with greater and greater redshift?
 
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  • #32
I would expect them to freeze and redshift into darkness because;

Well for conservation of information i would expect them to act like an object falling into the black holes event horizon. Otherwise, that would raise many questions. Like Stephen Hawking did back then
 
  • #33
phinds said:
Hm ... I don't follow. How does our view of them freeze? Wouldn't they just fade into darkness with greater and greater redshift?
Into darkness, but also into slower evolution (as seen by us) due to the redshift. The effect is very similar to objects falling into black holes (as seen by outside observers), just on a completely different timescale.
 
  • #34
mfb said:
Into darkness, but also into slower evolution (as seen by us) due to the redshift. The effect is very similar to objects falling into black holes (as seen by outside observers), just on a completely different timescale.

OK, that I understand. I think the fading to darkness would occur before the "freezing" got too severe, but I guess you could say that depends on the sensitivity of the instruments "seeing" the objects.
 
  • #35
henrywang said:
If a a object is falling in a gravity field with infinitly long radius. can it eventually travel faster than the speed of light?

No, the coordinate speed of a test probe falling from infinity is:

v=c(1-\frac{r_s}{r}) \sqrt{\frac{r_s}{r}} for r>r_s

where r_s is the Schwarzschild radius of the "attracting" gravitational mass and r is the radial Schwarzschild coordinate. So, v<c for all r>r_s.

If the test probe is dropped from r_0 the formula becomes:

v=c(1-\frac{r_s}{r}) \sqrt{\frac{r_s}{r}-\frac{r_s}{r_0}} for r_0>r>r_s

For light, the coordinate speed is:

v=c(1-\frac{r_s}{r})
 
Last edited:

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