Can Magnets Bend Space-Time and Enable Time Travel?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether magnets can bend space-time and potentially enable time travel. Participants explore the theoretical implications of magnetism in relation to space-time, including the role of electromagnetic fields and extra dimensions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if magnets can bend space-time, suggesting a potential link to time travel.
  • Another participant references an article that may provide insights into the relationship between electric charges and magnetism.
  • Some participants assert that without the inclusion of extra dimensions, magnets cannot affect space-time geometry.
  • It is proposed that electromagnetic fields do impact the curvature of space-time, but only under extreme conditions requiring very large fields.
  • A participant mentions that while classical electromagnetism can be unified with General Relativity, quantum electrodynamics poses challenges for such unification.
  • Discussion includes the mention of Magnetars, which are collapsed stars with strong magnetic fields that can influence gravitational fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ability of magnets to affect space-time, with some arguing against it without extra dimensions, while others suggest that significant electromagnetic fields can have an impact. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the feasibility of using magnets for bending space-time or time travel.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for extraordinarily strong magnetic fields to achieve measurable effects on space-time, and there is acknowledgment of the complexities involved in unifying different theories of physics.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring theoretical physics, particularly in the realms of magnetism, space-time, and the interplay between electromagnetism and gravity.

Dipto
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I was interested to know as magnetism works in space. Can magnets be used to bend space-time?
If this is possible may be able to time travel.....
 
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Well, I would answer "no" as long as extra dimensions are not included in the theory. The unification of the Electromagnetic interactions with the Gravitational ones was attempted by people who tried to extend the dimensions to 5 at first. But this theory of extra dimensions has not been verified yet.
The thing is that the "electromagnetic" interactions happen within a different space than the known space-time- described by the spacetime-metric, the object that let's you measure distances on a (hyper)surface. As long as that space is not within the spacetime, it cannot affect the geometry of the last.
 
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ChrisVer said:
Well, I would answer "no" as long as extra dimensions are not included in the theory. The unification of the Electromagnetic interactions with the Gravitational ones was attempted by people who tried to extend the dimensions to 5 at first. But this theory of extra dimensions has not been verified yet.
The thing is that the "electromagnetic" interactions happen within a different space than the known space-time- described by the spacetime-metric, the object that let's you measure distances on a (hyper)surface. As long as that space is not within the spacetime, it cannot affect the geometry of the last.
This really isn't accurate.

It's not very difficult to unify electricity and magnetism with General Relativity. We don't know how to unify quantum electrodynamics with relativity, but classical E&M is pretty simple.

And yes, electromagnetic fields impact the curvature of space-time. But you need monstrous EM fields to do it by any appreciable amount. For an order-of-magnitude estimate, to get close to the same curvature that is caused by a mass ##m##, you need electromagnetic fields with energy around ##mc^2##.
 
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Chalnoth said:
And yes, electromagnetic fields impact the curvature of space-time. But you need monstrous EM fields to do it by any appreciable amount. For an order-of-magnitude estimate, to get close to the same curvature that is caused by a mass mm, you need electromagnetic fields with energy around mc2mc^2.

Well that is correct... :biggrin: I was thinking only of the first half of Einstein Equations and not the energy-momentum tensor.
 
Dipto said:
So bro it maybe be conducted to see if it works lol...PS I am just an 8 th grader
Welcome to these Forums Dipto!

A very good question for an 8th grader - keep asking good questions and you will get some good answers - hopefully...

Magnetic fields certainly do "work in space" and the Earth's magnetic field plays all sorts of interesting effects with the Solar Wind.

18dxlfm8z3wdnjpg.jpg


All forms of mass, energy and stress are sources of the gravitational field.

However you would be very hard put to create a large enough magnetic field to cause a measurable effect on space-time.

Having said that there are collapsed stars with very strong magnetic fields called Magnetars and their magnetic fields will strongly affect the gravitational field.

Garth
 
Garth said:
Welcome to these Forums Dipto!

A very good question for an 8th grader - keep asking good questions and you will get some good answers - hopefully...

Magnetic fields certainly do "work in space" and the Earth's magnetic field plays all sorts of interesting effects with the Solar Wind.

18dxlfm8z3wdnjpg.jpg


All forms of mass, energy and stress are sources of the gravitational field.

However you would be very hard put to create a large enough magnetic field to cause a measurable effect on space-time.

Having said that there are collapsed stars with very strong magnetic fields called Magnetars and their magnetic fields will strongly affect the gravitational field.

Garth
THANKS really appreciated
 
Thanks its really appreciated
 

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