The discussion centers around the question of whether photons, particularly in the form of a laser, can distort the curvature of space-time similarly to massive objects. Participants explore the implications of energy in General Relativity and the potential for measuring such distortions.
Participants generally agree that energy plays a crucial role in gravitational effects, but there is no consensus on the specifics of how a laser's energy might be quantified or compared to mass. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical implications and calculations involved.
Participants express uncertainty about the mathematical formulations and the definitions of terms like "relativistic mass." There are also limitations in understanding how to apply theoretical concepts to practical measurements of laser-induced space-time distortion.
Yes, because photons have energy. In General Relativity, the source of gravity (and space-time distortion) is not mass, but energy (really the stress-energy tensor).Teleros said:
Doc Al said:
Probably should've put a disclaimer about my poor maths in the first post. That article went way over my head
... ). Damn I wish I could do maths better :( .