Can gravitational force have influence on objects at infinitely long distances?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the influence of gravitational force on objects at infinitely long distances, exploring both classical and quantum perspectives. Participants examine the implications of gravitational reach according to established theories and question the nature of gravity in the context of quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that classical models indicate gravitational force has an infinite reach, as exemplified by Newton's law of gravity and the Schwarzschild metric in general relativity.
  • Others argue that while gravity is expected to be quantized, the lack of a working theory of quantum gravity leaves uncertainties about its behavior at infinite distances.
  • A later reply questions the practical implications of gravitational influence at infinite distances, suggesting that since gravity propagates at the speed of light, any effect at an infinite distance would take an infinitely long time to manifest, potentially rendering the original cause irrelevant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; multiple competing views remain regarding the nature and implications of gravitational influence at infinite distances.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the unresolved nature of quantum gravity and the assumptions regarding the propagation speed of gravitational effects.

shivakumar
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Can gravitational force have influence at objects at infinitely long distance? Is gravitational force in the form quantum packets?
 
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Classical models say yes, the reach is infinite. We don't have a working theory of quantum gravity so we don't know what that says. We do expect gravity to be quantised, we just don't know how it works.
 
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shivakumar said:
Can gravitational force have influence at objects at infinitely long distance? Is gravitational force in the form quantum packets?
Newton's law of gravity is ##F = \frac{GMm}{r^2}##. There is no limit on the size of ##r##.

Likewise if you look at, for example, the Schwarzschild metric in general relativity. There is no limit to the ##r## coordinate.
 
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shivakumar said:
Can gravitational force have influence at objects at infinitely long distance?
Since gravity propagates at the speed of light, an infinitely long distance will take an infinitely long time. The original cause will be gone, long before the infinitesimal effect begins to be felt at an infinite distance.
 
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