High School How fast are gravitational forces transmitted?

Click For Summary
Gravitational forces, like electromagnetic forces, are believed to propagate at the speed of light, mediated by hypothetical particles called gravitons. However, the scenario of the Sun disappearing cannot be accurately analyzed within the framework of General Relativity, as it violates the laws of physics. Instead, discussions often focus on more feasible scenarios, such as the propagation of gravitational waves from events like black hole collisions, which do propagate at light speed. The complexities of General Relativity make it challenging to define changes in gravitational fields in a straightforward manner. Ultimately, the propagation of gravitational effects is constrained by the principles of relativity, emphasizing that any changes in gravitational influence must adhere to the speed of light.
  • #31
Vanadium 50 said:
My question is "if the OP disappears suddenly, how long does it take the thread to notice?"
(He hasn't been here since the OP)
The speed of postitons?
 
  • Haha
Likes DaveC426913
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Posters are a field. They're always there; it's simply the contribution that fluctuates.
 
  • #33
DaveC426913 said:
Posters are a field.
Sometimes quite far afield.
 
  • Like
Likes DaveC426913
  • #34
DaveC426913 said:
Posters are a field. They're always there; it's simply the contribution that fluctuates.
Well, the smallest field has 2 elements, so ...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
9K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K