Gravitational Waves in Positively Curved Universe?

In summary, gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by the acceleration of massive objects and were first predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. They are detected using highly sensitive instruments called interferometers. A positively curved universe is one in which the overall curvature of space is positive, and gravitational waves can interact with this curvature. Studying gravitational waves in a positively curved universe can provide insights into the nature of space-time and the origins and evolution of the universe.
  • #1
tovisonnenberg
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TL;DR Summary
Would gravitational waves travel like light in a positively curved universe?
Hello everyone! I was listening to a podcast that featured a cosmologist and she mentioned that if the universe was positively curved (and therefore a sphere overall), light would travel around the universe and then end up where it started. I wondered, would a gravitational wave do the same?
 
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  • #2
tovisonnenberg said:
would a gravitational wave do the same?

Yes.
 

1. What are gravitational waves?

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time that are caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as black holes or neutron stars.

2. How are gravitational waves detected?

Gravitational waves are detected using highly sensitive instruments called interferometers, which measure tiny changes in the distance between two points caused by passing gravitational waves.

3. How do positively curved universes affect gravitational waves?

In a positively curved universe, gravitational waves travel at a slower speed compared to a flat universe. This is because the curvature of space-time affects the propagation of gravitational waves.

4. What are the implications of detecting gravitational waves in a positively curved universe?

Detection of gravitational waves in a positively curved universe would provide evidence for the existence of a positive cosmological constant, which is a measure of the expansion rate of the universe. It would also support theories that suggest the universe is finite and closed.

5. Can gravitational waves in a positively curved universe be used for practical applications?

While the detection of gravitational waves in a positively curved universe has important implications for our understanding of the universe, it is unlikely to have practical applications. Gravitational waves are extremely weak and difficult to detect, and their effects on matter are very small.

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