Can Time Stop in a Gravity-Free Space?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between gravity and time, specifically exploring whether time could stop in a gravity-free space. Participants clarify that while gravity slows down time, its absence does not accelerate time; instead, it returns to its normal pace. The concept of creating a gravity-free environment is deemed unphysical, as it contradicts established physics principles. Ultimately, the consensus is that time cannot be measured without a reference, and the original question lacks a basis in physical reality.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity and its effects on time dilation
  • Familiarity with the concept of gravity and its influence on physical phenomena
  • Basic knowledge of the nature of time as a measurable quantity
  • Awareness of the limitations of theoretical physics in hypothetical scenarios
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of general relativity and time dilation effects
  • Explore the concept of spacetime and how gravity influences its curvature
  • Investigate the implications of hypothetical scenarios in theoretical physics
  • Learn about the nature of time and measurement in physics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics enthusiasts, students of general relativity, and anyone interested in the philosophical implications of time and gravity.

Neuro51
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[don't know whether i is the correct thread prefix, will change if requested/possible]

Now I will start off by saying I'm only an interested lay person, and haven't studied this but was thinking about time dilation and it's correlative effects with gravity. Higher gravity, time slows down accordingly relative to the person/thing experiencing it.
but
is the opposite true? If you could create a space within the universe (I am aware it's physically impossible to do so), would there be no passage of time, or would there just cease to be something you could measure time against?

I kind of thought of it as a box that no gravity (or expansion of space) could enter. if you could put an object inside it..like a deteriorating radioactive substance, close the box, remove gravity or space expansion from taking place within it.

would time for the object inside stop, or if the presence of increasingly heavy gravity slows time, would its absence speed it up? (compared to the universe outside)

I just want you guys to tear this s**t apart, tell me why it's faulty so I can learn something from it.

(I saw this thread; https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-happens-to-time-when-gravity-is-absent.211460/ which was in a similar vein but couldn't find anything conclusive in it to help myself understand this better, also didn't want to bump a long dead one)
 
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Neuro51 said:
[don't know whether i is the correct thread prefix, will change if requested/possible]

Now I will start off by saying I'm only an interested lay person, and haven't studied this but was thinking about time dilation and it's correlative effects with gravity. Higher gravity, time slows down accordingly relative to the person/thing experiencing it.
but
is the opposite true? If you could create a space within the universe (I am aware it's physically impossible to do so), would there be no passage of time, or would there just cease to be something you could measure time against?

I kind of thought of it as a box that no gravity (or expansion of space) could enter. if you could put an object inside it..like a deteriorating radioactive substance, close the box, remove gravity or space expansion from taking place within it.

would time for the object inside stop, or if the presence of increasingly heavy gravity slows time, would its absence speed it up? (compared to the universe outside)

I just want you guys to tear this s**t apart, tell me why it's faulty so I can learn something from it.

(I saw this thread; https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-happens-to-time-when-gravity-is-absent.211460/ which was in a similar vein but couldn't find anything conclusive in it to help myself understand this better, also didn't want to bump a long dead one)
Firstly, thumbs up for your thinking its quite an different perspective to view the two subjects. But you (as you yourself stated that you haven't taken proper study of the subject) missed out few points. GRAVITY only slows down time from its normal pace, like it slows down light speed in its influence, so absence of gravity will only bring time to its normal pace not accelerate it further.
 
You are asking an unphysical question. Essentially you are asking us to tell you what happens when physics do not apply. We cannot answer this because how would you answer something from a model when the one asking the question has already told you the model no longer applies, you already know this as you state it in the OP.
 
Orodruin said:
Essentially you are asking us to tell you what happens when physics do not apply..
oh lord you're right, this is very embarrassing.
 
Last edited:

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