Does Gravity Cause Refraction Similar to Light?

AI Thread Summary
Gravity does not cause refraction in the same way light does when passing through different media. Instead, gravity bends the path of objects and light towards massive bodies like Earth, as described by general relativity. This curvature of space, or vacuum, allows light to follow a geodesic, which is the shortest path in a curved space. Unlike refraction, where light speed changes between media, the speed of light remains constant along its path in a gravitational field. Therefore, while gravity influences the trajectory of light, it does not cause refraction in the traditional sense.
mee
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? gravity and refraction

I don't know if this is silly, but does gravity refract us towards the earth? :confused:
 
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maybe this is equally silly but please explain your definition of refraction?
 
Scott Sieger said:
maybe this is equally silly but please explain your definition of refraction?

If I knew I would be much wiser!
:smile: It seems our path through space is "bent" back towards the Earth due to gravity. I was wondering if it could be some sort of refraction. :smile:
 
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Refraction of light is possible thru its travel between different media such as glass and air, air and water, outer space and the atmosphere, etc.

The vacuum ("empty space") is the ultimate medium. And curving of this vacuum by gravity is possible by the theory of general relativity. Light is just following the shortest path (geodesic) along the curvature of this vacuum. it is not passing thru different media like refraction. Light is just moving along path of space that uses the least amount of energy. The speed of light is constant at every point of the path while in refraction the speed of light changes from medium to medium as indicated by Snell's law.
 

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