Can Non-Constant Gravity Affect Velocity and Acceleration Equations?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the formulation of equations for distance, velocity, and acceleration in scenarios with non-constant gravitational acceleration. The user seeks to develop equations that account for varying gravitational forces, specifically noting that gravitational acceleration can differ significantly at various altitudes, such as 100,000 meters versus 1,000 meters. The challenge includes ensuring that calculated velocities do not exceed the speed of light (c = 299,792,458 m/s) while approaching it asymptotically. The user references the concept of constant proper acceleration in rockets and the complexities introduced by curved space-time, particularly in the context of black holes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of non-constant gravitational acceleration
  • Familiarity with relativistic physics and the speed of light
  • Knowledge of proper acceleration in the context of rocket physics
  • Basic concepts of curved space-time and metric coefficients
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the equations of motion under varying gravitational fields
  • Study the relativistic rocket equations and their implications on velocity
  • Explore the effects of curved space-time on free-fall trajectories
  • Investigate the mathematical transformations necessary to prevent exceeding the speed of light
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, aerospace engineers, and students of advanced physics who are interested in the implications of non-constant gravity on motion and relativistic effects.

gill12
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I am trying to devise an equation to describe distance, velocity, and acceleration with non-constant acceleration due to gravity changing with respect to distance. For instance, at 100,000 meters the gravitational acceleration is let's say X, yet at 1,000 meters the gravitational acceleration is 10,000X. This gives different distance, velocity, and acceleration equations. Can anyone help me? Thanks in advance!
 
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I am trying to calculate the distance, velocity, acceleration, and time of a free falling object. Yet, my velocity after a certain amount of time and/or sufficient acceleration will exceed c, 299792458 m/s. I am looking for a transform for any of these 4 parameters that will describe the object relativistically. Basically, what transform do I use and what do I use it on so that my velocity, v, does not exceed c, but only approaches it as time goes to infinity?
 
You might want to look at http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/rocket.html

Note that this is a rocket with a constant proper acceleration of 1g. There isn't any way for a rocket to have a constant coordinate acceleration of 1g in flat space-time.

A somewhat related question is the issue of falling into a black hole. This may or may not be closer to what you are interested in, but it is complicated by the presence of curved space-time and its associated metric coefficients.

This gets involved, but has been discussed (if that's what you're interested in), see for instance the following posts (and the associated threads).

https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1209950&postcount=70
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=602558&postcount=29
 
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