Gravitational length contraction

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SUMMARY

Gravitational length contraction, as described by the Schwarzschild metric, occurs only in the radial direction of a gravitational field. This effect does not manifest perpendicular to the gravitational field. The discussion highlights the importance of coordinate systems, suggesting that isotropic coordinates and Rindler coordinates may yield different insights into the phenomenon. Ultimately, the nature of gravitational length contraction is contingent upon the choice of coordinate charts used in the analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Schwarzschild metric
  • Familiarity with isotropic coordinates
  • Knowledge of Rindler coordinates
  • Basic concepts of general relativity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of isotropic coordinates in general relativity
  • Explore the effects of Rindler coordinates on accelerating frames
  • Study the mathematical formulation of the Schwarzschild metric
  • Investigate coordinate charts and their impact on physical interpretations in relativity
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Students and researchers in physics, particularly those focused on general relativity, gravitational theories, and the mathematical frameworks used in theoretical physics.

notknowing
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A short question this time :
Is the gravitational length contraction an effect which acts parallel as well as perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational field ?
I suppose it is not occurring perpendicular to it, but I might be wrong and I didn't find a good reference on it.
 
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notknowing said:
A short question this time :
Is the gravitational length contraction an effect which acts parallel as well as perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational field ?
I suppose it is not occurring perpendicular to it, but I might be wrong and I didn't find a good reference on it.

Sorry, stupid question. According to the Schwarzschild metric, it is only in the radial direction.
 
You might also want to think about:

1) what if one uses isotropic coordinates rather than Schwarzschild coordinates?

http://io.uwinnipeg.ca/~vincent/4500.6-001/Cosmology/IsotropicCoordinates.htm

2) You might also ask about what happens on an accelerating spaceship, i.e. using Rindler coordinates.

If the answer does depend on your choice of coordinates, it was really a question about coordinates (or more formally, coordinate charts) rather than a question about physics.
 
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