Gravitational Force: Evidence & Distance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of gravitational force and its behavior over vast distances. Participants explore whether gravity continues indefinitely or diminishes beyond a certain range, drawing comparisons to other forces and considering implications of the expanding universe.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the indefinite nature of gravitational force, suggesting it might drop to zero at a certain distance, similar to the strong nuclear force.
  • Another participant proposes that gravitational theory appears to hold true on large scales, such as the attraction between galaxies, implying that the mathematical model is applicable throughout the universe.
  • A different participant raises the idea that at some distance, two objects may no longer experience gravitational attraction due to the expansion of the universe, questioning whether the speed of this expansion could exceed the speed of light.
  • Concerns are expressed about whether gravitational effects are limited to neighboring galaxies, questioning the influence of distant galaxies on each other.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the behavior of gravitational force at large distances, with no consensus reached regarding whether gravity diminishes or continues indefinitely. The implications of cosmic expansion on gravitational interactions also remain contested.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge assumptions about the speed of gravity and the nature of cosmic expansion, but these aspects remain unresolved within the discussion.

Blenton
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How do we know that the force of gravitation continues indefinitely with respect to distance? Is there any evidence to support it? Could it be possible that it works on a large scale, but drops to zero at a certain distance much like other forces eg. strong nuclear?
 
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Hi there,

It could certainly be. Therefore, you would need very, very, very far to see if you ideas could maybe work. Because, we just notice, by looking up in the sky, that the gravitational theroy seems to work even on larger scales, e.g. attraction between galaxies. Therefore, we could suppose that the mathematical model can be applied anywhere in the Universe.

Cheers
 
At some distance 2 objects will no longer feel gravity from each other due to the expanding universe.
That is if gravity travels at the speed of light. Others here can correct me if I am wrong here but at some point wouldn’t the speed of expansion exceed the speed of light. The expansion is cumulative isn’t it?
If we know how much expansion there is in a given distance could we find the distance where the expansion exceeds the speed of light, and is this making any sense to anyone?
I have been pondering this for some time now.
 
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Because, we just notice, by looking up in the sky, that the gravitational theroy seems to work even on larger scales, e.g. attraction between galaxies.

But do we notice the furthest galaxy having an attraction on the furthest galaxy away from that one? Perhaps its only neighbouring galaxies that have any effect on each other.
 

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