How do we know there is a timespace fabric?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of spacetime fabric and its interaction with mass. It asserts that magnetic objects interact through their magnetic fields rather than altering a pre-existing field. The conversation also questions whether light possesses mass and how this affects its behavior in gravitational fields, ultimately suggesting that light's bending around gravity is due to the curvature of spacetime rather than direct interaction with gravity. The Relativity FAQ subforum is recommended for further exploration of these concepts.

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  • Understanding of general relativity principles
  • Familiarity with the concept of spacetime fabric
  • Knowledge of mass and its relationship to gravity
  • Basic grasp of electromagnetic theory
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  • Explore the implications of massless particles in general relativity
  • Study the effects of gravitational lensing on light
  • Investigate the mathematical framework of spacetime curvature
  • Review the Relativity FAQ subforum for in-depth discussions
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Vierstein
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When 2 magentic objects interact with each other, it is because they interact with each others magnetic field, not because their presence alters an existing magnetic field.

The way I understood spacetime, the theory goes that a spacetime fabric stretches throughout the known universe and mass bends and curves it. How do we know that is the case? Couldnt it be that there is no such thing as a spacetime fabric and that each object comes with its own spacetime and interacts with the spacetime of other objects?

Does light have Mass and is therefore affected by gravity in the same way a rock and planet is affected, or is light 100% massless and therefore if we observe light bending around a gravitational field, we know it is because it follow the curved spacetime and not because it ineracts with the gravitational field as such, because light is massless?
 
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Vierstein said:
Does light have Mass and is therefore affected by gravity in the same way a rock and planet is affected, or is light 100% massless and therefore if we observe light bending around a gravitational field, we know it is because it follow the curved spacetime and not because it ineracts with the gravitational field as such, because light is massless?

Please read the Relativity FAQ subforum:

https://www.physicsforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=210

Zz.
 
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