Gravity and electromagnetic radiation

In summary, the conversation discusses whether or not falling charged particles radiate and whether a charged particle held still and exposed to a sinusoidally oscillating gravitational field will also radiate. The participants also mention potential sources for finding answers to this question, including academic sources and online forums.
  • #1
Justintruth
35
1
Do falling charged particles radiate? Also, if I hold a charge still and bring a large mass close to it first on one side then another so that the particle sees a sinosoidally oscilating gravitational field will it radiate?
 
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  • #3
Thanks. Didn't even know those sources existed. I'll check next time.
 
  • #4
Justintruth said:
Thanks. Didn't even know those sources existed. I'll check next time.
Hint: type "charged particle radiate gravitational acceleration" into a google search bar.
Look for academic sources first.
 

1. What is the relationship between gravity and electromagnetic radiation?

Gravity and electromagnetic radiation are both fundamental forces in the universe, but they have very different properties. Gravity is a force of attraction between objects with mass, while electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that travels through space as waves. However, both forces are related through Einstein's theory of general relativity, which explains how gravity affects the fabric of space-time and how electromagnetic radiation can be affected by the presence of massive objects.

2. How does gravity affect electromagnetic radiation?

Gravity can affect electromagnetic radiation in a few different ways. First, it can cause the path of light to bend when it passes through a region with a strong gravitational field, such as near a massive object like a star or a black hole. This is known as gravitational lensing. Second, gravity can also cause the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation to stretch or compress, a phenomenon known as gravitational redshift or blueshift, respectively. This can be observed in the light emitted from objects in strong gravitational fields, such as the surface of a neutron star.

3. Can electromagnetic radiation produce its own gravity?

While electromagnetic radiation does not have mass, it does have energy, and according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, energy and mass are equivalent. This means that high-energy electromagnetic radiation, such as gamma rays, can theoretically produce a gravitational field. However, the strength of this gravitational field would be extremely small and difficult to detect with current technology.

4. How does the speed of light relate to gravity and electromagnetic radiation?

The speed of light is a fundamental constant in the universe, and it plays a crucial role in both gravity and electromagnetic radiation. In Einstein's theory of general relativity, the speed of light is the maximum speed at which any object or information can travel in the universe. In electromagnetism, the speed of light is the speed at which electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum. This means that the speed of light is a fundamental limit for how gravity and electromagnetic radiation can interact with each other.

5. Can gravity and electromagnetic radiation be unified into a single theory?

Currently, there is no unified theory that fully explains the relationship between gravity and electromagnetic radiation. While Einstein's theory of general relativity has been very successful in describing gravity and its effects on space and time, it does not incorporate the principles of quantum mechanics, which govern the behavior of electromagnetic radiation. Many scientists are working on theories that attempt to unify these two fundamental forces, such as string theory and loop quantum gravity, but a complete understanding of their relationship still eludes us.

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