Does Gravity Cause Refraction Similar to Light?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mee
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravity Refraction
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies that gravity does not cause refraction in the same manner as light does when transitioning between different media. Instead, gravity influences the curvature of space-time, as described by general relativity, causing light to follow a geodesic path. The speed of light remains constant regardless of the gravitational field, contrasting with the variable speed of light in refraction, which is governed by Snell's law. Thus, while gravity bends the path of light, it does not refract it in the traditional sense.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of geodesics
  • Knowledge of Snell's law
  • Basic principles of light behavior in different media
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of general relativity and its implications on space-time curvature
  • Explore the concept of geodesics in physics
  • Investigate Snell's law and its applications in optics
  • Examine the behavior of light in various media and its relevance to refraction
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the relationship between gravity and light behavior will benefit from this discussion.

mee
Messages
213
Reaction score
1
? gravity and refraction

I don't know if this is silly, but does gravity refract us towards the earth? :confused:
 
Science news on Phys.org
maybe this is equally silly but please explain your definition of refraction?
 
Scott Sieger said:
maybe this is equally silly but please explain your definition of refraction?

If I knew I would be much wiser!
:smile: It seems our path through space is "bent" back towards the Earth due to gravity. I was wondering if it could be some sort of refraction. :smile:
 
Last edited:
Refraction of light is possible thru its travel between different media such as glass and air, air and water, outer space and the atmosphere, etc.

The vacuum ("empty space") is the ultimate medium. And curving of this vacuum by gravity is possible by the theory of general relativity. Light is just following the shortest path (geodesic) along the curvature of this vacuum. it is not passing thru different media like refraction. Light is just moving along path of space that uses the least amount of energy. The speed of light is constant at every point of the path while in refraction the speed of light changes from medium to medium as indicated by Snell's law.
 

Similar threads

High School Help with refraction of light
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Graduate Critical angle (symmetry of refraction) confusion
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Why do we use low-coherence light in Optical Coherence Tomography?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Graduate Why does the amount of Refraction depend on wavelength?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Graduate Does twisted light violate Fermat's principle?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
Graduate 180 degree phase shift of reflected light
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Optical Effect: curved light source when seen through the bus window
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Light speed and refractive index
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
High School Refraction of Light: Myth or Reality?
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
5K
Undergrad Does light refraction play a role in bubble iridescence?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K