Gravity & Wave Forms: Interactions Explained

[hagar]

Does gravity affect waves such as gamma, xray, radio etc. and how does it interact with other wave forms considering gravity is a wave itself.

Respectfully,
Pat Hagar

 

[Orodruin]

Yes, gravity affects EM waves.

No, gravity is not a wave.

 

[hagar]

Yes, gravity affects EM waves.

No, gravity is not a wave.

I have read in the last few months that gravitational waves have finally been proven to exist.

 

[Orodruin]

I have read in the last few months that gravitational waves have finally been proven to exist.

Yes, this does not mean that gravity is a wave. Just as EM waves do not mean an electric field is a wave or waves on the surface of a pond mean that the surface is a wave.

 

[hagar]

Thank you for the response. That sounds reasonable.

Respectfully,
Pat Hagar

 

[Cutter Ketch]

Not only "yes", but very famously "yes". With General Relativity Einstein predicted twice as much light bending as Newtonian gravity. The race was on to try and measure the bending precisely by observing stars near the edge of the solar disk during a solar eclipse. When Einstein's value was confirmed in 1919 it made headline news around the world and made Einstein world famous. I saw a really good documentary about the race and frustrations of trying to make the solar eclipse measurement.

Anyhow, I will add that the idea of General Relativity is that mass bends space and time. Everything must be affected when space itself is bent!

 

[hagar]

Thank you for the in depth explanation. This makes things much clearer.

Respectfully,
Pat Hagar