Cause of Gravitation: What Is It?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter aqua_s
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cause Gravity
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the cause of gravitation, exploring its theoretical underpinnings and the limitations of classical physics in addressing the question. Participants touch on the relationship between mass and gravitation and the implications of General Relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the cause of gravitation, suggesting that while classical physics attributes it to mass, it does not explain why mass causes gravitation.
  • Another participant highlights that the explanation of gravitation through the curvature of spacetime in General Relativity is not part of classical physics.
  • A participant expresses concern about the appropriateness of discussing such foundational questions in the classical physics forum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the cause of gravitation, with multiple competing views regarding the explanations provided by classical physics and General Relativity.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects limitations in classical physics regarding the explanation of gravitation and the potential need to reference other areas of physics for a more comprehensive understanding.

aqua_s
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
What is the cause of Gravitation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi!

I remind you that you are in "Physics Forums > Physics > Classical Physics".
In classical physics the cause of gravitation is mass.
Why mass causes gravitation is not answered by classical physics.

Allow me to ask you a question,

why there is light?

i.e. electromagnetic waves.
 
gomunkul51 said:
Why mass causes gravitation is not answered by classical physics.

Since answering questions like this must be strictly forbidden in the wrong forum, which section might one need to visit to have the aforementioned question answered...?
 
According to current generally-accepted understanding, gravity is "explained" by the curvature of spacetime in General Relativity, which is not considered to be part of "classical physics." See instead our "Special & General Relativity" forum.
 

Similar threads

High School If gravity was a force wouldn't going back in time cause us to float?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
High School What Causes Mass to Exert Gravitational Pull?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Can gravitational lensing detect Very small deviations in light propagation?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Undergrad With gravitational lensing, which way is down?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K
Undergrad Does gravity bend gravitational waves?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Undergrad Gravitational Waves & Matter: Causes, Effects & Thresholds
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Gravity -- a force or a cause of a force?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Graduate Is Fatio–Le Sage's theory of gravitation an entropic gravity?
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Undergrad Gravitational waves as not "proximal"?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
3K
High School Does gravitational time dilation cause gravity's attraction?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
7K