Effect of Gravity get bent like light around another gravitational source

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the bending of gravitational effects around massive objects, drawing parallels to the bending of light as described by Einstein's General Relativity. It posits that gravitational influences, like those from the Earth, can affect satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) before they are directly aligned with another gravitational source, such as the Sun. The conversation highlights the mathematical framework of gravitational perturbations, emphasizing that high-frequency gravitational waves follow null geodesics similar to electromagnetic waves. The distinction between central forces and lagged forces is also noted, which is crucial for understanding momentum conservation in gravitational interactions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's General Relativity
  • Familiarity with gravitational wave theory
  • Knowledge of null geodesics and their properties
  • Basic concepts of central forces in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical framework of gravitational perturbations
  • Study the properties of null geodesics in gravitational wave propagation
  • Explore the implications of central forces on momentum conservation
  • Investigate the effects of gravitational fields on satellite trajectories in LEO
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, astrophysicists, and students interested in gravitational theory, satellite dynamics, and the interplay between gravity and electromagnetic phenomena.

Philosophaie
Messages
456
Reaction score
0
Does the effect of Gravity get bent like light around another gravitational source? If the object is close enough to the Earth does the Earth's gravitational force bent the Moon's or even the Sun's gravitational effect on that object before that "line of sight" event occurs. As Einstein's General Relativity was proven in 1919 with an solar eclipse of the Sun, light bents with a gravitational source why can't gravity.

Will a Satellite around Earth in Low Earth Orbit feel the Gravitational pull before passing from the protection of the Earth's Umbria or will it feel nothing until the Sun is directly in front of it? If so is there any mathematical evaluation of this occurrence?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Perturbations in the gravitational field obey the wave equation, whose characteristics are null surfaces and whose bicharacteristics are null geodesics. High-frequency gravitational waves follow null geodesics just the same as electromagnetic waves do.
 
Light waves and high enough frequency gravity waves should ollow null geodesics.

Electric field lines and gravitational field lines (to the extent they exist, but I think they should work for static gravity) are best approximated as following space-like geodesics and not null geodesics.

Thus the force attracting the Earth to the sun is a central force, not a "lagged" central force. This is important for momentum conservation.

It's not quite clear if I've interpreted the OP's question correctly - I'm assuming he's thinking of "the effect of gravity" by what I call a "field line", a concept I've actually borrowed from electromagnetism.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 73 ·
3
Replies
73
Views
16K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K