Deriving Acceleration in Gravity from E = mc^2

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter boniphacy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Acceleration Gravity
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving acceleration for a stationary mass in a gravitational field, specifically using the equation E = mc² in the context of General Relativity. Participants explore the validity of different mathematical approaches and the implications of using geodesics versus non-geodesic paths.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a derivation of acceleration using the equation E = mc²√(1 - rs/r) * γ, suggesting it leads to a straightforward expression for gravitational acceleration.
  • Another participant argues that the derivation is flawed because it applies an equation valid only for bodies traveling on geodesics, while a stationary mass does not follow such a path.
  • A later reply emphasizes that the correct approach involves calculating the four-acceleration of a hovering observer, indicating that the initial method is misapplied.
  • Participants discuss the distinction between taking a gradient and a covariant derivative in curved spacetime, suggesting that the initial mathematical approach is not appropriate for the problem at hand.
  • There are repeated assertions that the original claim is incorrect, with some participants expressing frustration over the perceived refusal to acknowledge the errors in reasoning.
  • One participant mentions that the energy at infinity for an object on a geodesic is a constant of motion, but reiterates that this is irrelevant to the question of a stationary object.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are multiple competing views regarding the validity of the initial derivation and the appropriate mathematical methods to use. The discussion remains unresolved, with ongoing debate about the correctness of the approaches presented.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the misapplication of equations specific to geodesics when discussing stationary masses, and the need for clarity on the distinction between different types of derivatives in curved spacetime.

boniphacy
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
TL;DR
accel on a quasar
I want to derive an acceleration in the case for a stationary mass in the gravity field.

I found the total energy in the GR is provided by a simple equation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwarzschild_geodesics

## E = mc^2\sqrt{1 - rs/r} * \gamma ##

So, this is easy to provide acceleration for that energy definition, using standard math alone: the gradient.

## g(r) = -GM/r^2 \frac{1}{1 - rs/r} ##

And this should be correct (for a stationary body: v = 0).

I have seen many complicated solutions for this problem, and inconsistent with this result.
What is a problem with this?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
boniphacy said:
I want to derive the acceleration in the case for stationary mass in the gravity.
Such a body will not be traveling on a geodesic. But your derivation uses an equation which is only valid for a body that is traveling on a geodesic.

boniphacy said:
What is a problem with this?
See above.
 
Do You suggest: the standard math is wrong?
 
boniphacy said:
Do You suggest: the standard math is wrong?
No - you are misapplying it. ##dt/d\tau## isn't ##\gamma## in general, so your expression is wrong to start with. And an object sat on a solid surface isn't following a geodesic, either, so looking at geodesics won't be an awful lot of help.

The correct way to derive it is to calculate the four-acceleration, ##A^i=U^j\nabla_j U^i##, of the worldline of a hovering observer (one at constant Schwarzschild spatial coordinates) and take the modulus, ##\sqrt{g_{ij}A^iA^j}##.
 
Last edited:
boniphacy said:
using standard math: gradient
By which you mean "take the derivative with respect to ##r##", which, in a curved spacetime, is not the same as a gradient (you would need to take a covariant derivative, not a partial derivative).

boniphacy said:
Do You suggest: the standard math is wrong?
No, just that (a) the "standard math" you claim to be using is irrelevant to the question you are trying to answer, and (b) you are doing the "standard math" that you claim to be using incorrectly.
 
Irrelevant: I can take derivative wrt time t.
dE/dt = 0.

The result is still the same.
 
  • Sad
Likes   Reactions: weirdoguy and Dale
boniphacy said:
Irrelevant: I can take derivative wrt time t.
dE/dt = 0.

The result is still the same.
You already know you have the wrong answer. Yet when we tell you what you're doing wrong, you describe it as irrelevant and come up with another incorrect idea. Do you think you're going to get anywhere with this strategy?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Dale
boniphacy said:
I can take derivative wrt time t.
dE/dt = 0.
This says that the energy at infinity of an object following a geodesic worldline is a constant of the motion. Which is (a) a well-known fact which you don't have to explain to anyone here, and (b) irrelevant to the question you are trying to answer, since, as has already been pointed out to you, a stationary object in this spacetime is not following a geodesic worldline.

Your OP question has been answered, both explaining why your claimed answer is wrong and indicating how to get the correct answer. Whether you want to accept those answers or not is (a) your call, and (b) not something it is worth keeping this thread open to find out.

Thread closed.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
6K
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K