Does Gravity Influence the Speed of Light in Space?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between gravity and the speed of light, particularly in the context of space versus planetary environments. Participants explore concepts related to energy, mass, and the implications of gravity on light speed and other physical phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that gravity might influence the speed of light, proposing a range between 1 and 2 squared "c".
  • Another participant asserts that the speed of light (c) is a constant, questioning the assumption that gravitational potential energy could alter it.
  • Some participants express confusion about the initial question and seek clarification on the connections between gravity, light speed, and energy.
  • There is a discussion about the equivalence of energy in different environments, with one participant noting that energy is the ability to perform work, which may be consistent across locations.
  • Entropy is introduced as a concept related to energy, with questions about its constancy in relation to gravity.
  • One participant mentions the full energy equation, E² = M²C⁴ + P²C², and discusses the implications of momentum on energy calculations.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the presence of gravity in space, countering the notion of "zero gravity" as a misnomer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the influence of gravity on the speed of light. There are competing views regarding the nature of energy and its relationship to gravity and light speed, leading to an unresolved discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about various concepts, including the definitions of energy and entropy, and the implications of gravitational effects on light speed. The discussion reflects a range of understandings and assumptions about fundamental physics principles.

bhpv
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Hi,

Energy is mass times lightspeed squared.

Outside our Earth spere there is zero gravity.

Why wouldn't gravity determine lightspeed to be between 1 and 2 squared "c"?Is there a single variable for distance between the planets?

This is induction, not sure what it means and what not.

Is it only 'space' or something to 'overcome' between sun and earth?
 
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I'm sorry, but virtually none of that makes any sense, and what does is not correct.
 
c is a constant so no. The rest of relativity is derived assuming that this is constant.

I'm confused about your thought process. Are you assuming that since the gravitational potential energy changes, that [itex]mc^2[/itex] should change? If that is the case, you are well out of the applicability of [itex]E=mc^2[/itex] which is only the energy of an object that is at rest.
 
I'm not sure.

I have no physics.

I feel (not more), that c is constant but c squared, that is why I'm not certain.
 
As you can probably tell from the other posts, we're all just trying to get a handle on exactly what it is you're trying to ask. Toward that goal, I will ask several questions:

bhpv said:
Hi,

Energy is mass times lightspeed squared.

Outside our Earth spere there is zero gravity.

Why wouldn't gravity determine lightspeed to be between 1 and 2 squared "c"?

It appears you are following a single chain of cause and effect here, but I don't quite see it. If you could explain in a little more detail why and how you think gravity would determine lightspeed to be between 1 and 2 squared c, the question would be a bit more clear. It should also be pointed out that the definition of c is "the speed of light," so lightspeed cannot be any faster than c (nor any slower, for that matter).

Is there a single variable for distance between the planets?

Sure; d, if we define d as "the distance between planets" (JK). But seriously, since you were just talking about gravity, I'm geussing that you're looking for some kind of limits (imposed by gravity) on how close the planets can be to one another. Is that right?

This is induction, not sure what it means and what not.

Are you inferring a connection between lightspeed, gravity, and ellectrical induction, or are you saying this is your induction into this subject? Also, what exactly is the subject here? Are you trying to get a better understanding of orbital mechanics? Lightspeed (special relativity)? Gravity (general relativity)?


Is it only 'space' or something to 'overcome' between sun and earth?

Maybe this question will become clearer if you can fill us in on the other stuff I asked.
 
LURCH said:
It appears you are following a single chain of cause and effect here, but I don't quite see it. If you could explain in a little more detail why and how you think gravity would determine lightspeed to be between 1 and 2 squared c, the question would be a bit more clear. It should also be pointed out that the definition of c is "the speed of light," so lightspeed cannot be any faster than c (nor any slower, for that matter).
So mass plus lightspeed squared' is about energy.
Is there more to say about energy from the same equation?
My original inspiration. Outside and nearby Earth in zero gravity space. What about the object on Earth and outside it. I want to reason about the object intself in different areas.




LURCH said:
Sure; d, if we define d as "the distance between planets" (JK). But seriously, since you were just talking about gravity, I'm geussing that you're looking for some kind of limits (imposed by gravity) on how close the planets can be to one another. Is that right?
Yes, you're right.


LURCH said:
Are you inferring a connection between lightspeed, gravity, and ellectrical induction, or are you saying this is your induction into this subject? Also, what exactly is the subject here? Are you trying to get a better understanding of orbital mechanics? Lightspeed (special relativity)? Gravity (general relativity)?

Orbital mechanics and a better understanding of it.
 
Ultimately I came to not understand if there is differences in space in comparison to on a planet. I do understand this now (I do not actively think so much), so energy seems be equivalent everywhere but things need more velocity on a planet,

however, does this mean particles and only with 'gravity'' there is entropy?

Is there a constant for entropy? That would answer my question if positive. Namely all energy of objects(') equal? (chemistry)

I get back and thought: what formula? If there is a way to reason about a single object, is entropy all the same 'relatively'?
 
bhpv said:
Ultimately I came to not understand if there is differences in space in comparison to on a planet. I do understand this now (I do not actively think so much), so energy seems be equivalent everywhere but things need more velocity on a planet,

First it may help to understand exactly what energy means in physics. Basically it means "The ability to perform work". If you pick up a book, you have performed work on that book, which means it required energy to pick it up. So the phrase "energy seems to be equivalent everywhere" doesn't really make sense, as we just use it as a measure of the ability for something to do work. Unless you are saying that one joule here on Earth performs the same amount of work as 1 joule does in space, which is true.

Also, two objects with identical masses will require the same amount of energy to accelerate to the same speeds, regardless of where they are located at. (Ignoring losses such as friction of course)

however, does this mean particles and only with 'gravity'' there is entropy?

I don't really know what you are asking. Entropy is a concept related to energy. It is usually stated as the amount of energy not available for work in a thermodynamic process. So in a perfect situation you would expend X amount of energy and perform Y amount of work. But unfortunately the universe doesn't allow "perfect" devices and you will lose energy in the process due to heat loss, friction, and other ways. So X energy gets you LESS than Y work.
So mass plus lightspeed squared' is about energy.
Is there more to say about energy from the same equation?
My original inspiration. Outside and nearby Earth in zero gravity space. What about the object on Earth and outside it. I want to reason about the object intself in different areas.

The full equation is actually E2= M2C4+P2C2
where P is the momentum of an object. The short version of the equation without the momentum times c squared is only applicable if you want to talk about the energy of a non-moving object.

Also, there is most assuredly gravity in space. Gravity is what attracts the Moon to the Earth, the Earth to the Sun, etc. (Also the Earth is attracted to the Moon, the Sun is attracted to the Earth, etc) Zero gravity is a misnomer. When you are in space you are effectively in "free fall", which causes you to have no WEIGHT. So you would be weightless.
 

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