The discussion centers on the forces experienced by a person inside a spaceship following a geodesic path, particularly in the context of spacetime curvature near massive objects like planets or black holes. Participants explore the differences between experiences in free fall versus those in a vehicle turning on Earth, as well as the implications of tidal forces in large structures.
Participants express differing views on the nature and significance of forces experienced in a geodesic path, particularly regarding tidal forces and the conditions under which they become relevant. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the topic.
Participants highlight limitations in understanding tidal forces, including dependence on the size of the spaceship and the proximity to massive objects. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of gravitational effects in both Newtonian and general relativity frameworks.
Little confused, this will only happen near a huge planet if the spaceship is large, because you mention tides on Earth due to moon and close to a black hole.Ibix said:One minor caveat to Orodruin's response - if the spaceship is large enough you will experience tidal forces. This would leave you pressed up against the side of the ship furthest or nearest the mass. Or, more uncomfortably, with one end of your body pressed against one side and the other end against the other.
This will only be a significant effect for a planet-sized ship (that's why we get tides on Earth) or very close to a small black hole.
In a curved spacetime, nearby geodesics are not quite exactly parallel ("geodesic deviation"), so nearby masses in free fall will want to move apart or be forced together. If the two masses are the opposite ends of some object, that object will experience crushing or stretching forces. The larger the volume of space we're considering, the greater the effect so it will be more pronounced inside a very large ship than a very small one.rajeshmarndi said:If so what is the role of a large ship in which one can experience a force on a turn due to spacetime curvature.
You always get tidal forces. In Newtonian terms, this is because the parts of the ship nearer the gravitating mass feel a stronger force than those further away. In GR terms, the reasoning is a bit different (geodesic deviation) but the effect is the same, at least qualitatively.rajeshmarndi said:Little confused, this will only happen near a huge planet if the spaceship is large, because you mention tides on Earth due to moon and close to a black hole.
[edit] If so what is the role of a large ship in which one can experience a force on a turn due to spacetime curvature.