How quickly do changes in fundamental forces propagate?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jeevesh
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravity Light Matter
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the propagation speed of changes in fundamental forces, specifically in the context of gravitational interactions between distant objects. Participants explore whether a sudden change, such as the disappearance of one object, would be felt instantly or after a delay, and the implications of this for the speed of gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a distant object would feel the gravitational force change instantly, after 2 years, or after an even longer duration if another object suddenly vanishes.
  • Another participant reiterates the question about the speed of gravity, suggesting that a search for "Speed of Gravity" might yield relevant information.
  • Some participants assert that all fundamental forces, including gravity, propagate at the speed of light (c), emphasizing that changes in these forces also travel at this speed.
  • A later reply clarifies that it is specifically changes in fundamental forces that travel at the speed of light.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of changes in gravitational forces and whether they are felt instantly or after a delay. There is no consensus on the exact nature of this propagation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the assumptions regarding the nature of gravitational interactions at large distances or the implications of relativity on the propagation of forces.

jeevesh
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
If there are 2 objects at the distance of 2 light years from each other exerting a pull of gravity on each other and one of them vanishes suddenly would the other feel the force instantly or 2 years later or after more time
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: olgerm
Science news on Phys.org
jeevesh said:
If there are 2 objects at the distance of 2 light years from each other exerting a pull of gravity on each other and one of them vanishes suddenly would the other feel the force instantly or 2 years later or after more time

When you do a Google search for Speed of Gravity, what do you find? :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Noctisdark
In fact all fundamental forces travel at the speed of light c,
 
Noctisdark said:
In fact all fundamental forces travel at the speed of light c,

Just for clarity, changes in fundamental forces travel at c.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Switching polarizer and analyzer: the order matters -- why?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Graduate The attractive force of photons on other photons & matter
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
17K
How to calculate Tension for a series of connected points?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad Energy of Light in Accelerating Universe: Comparing Cases
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
Undergrad How will the force of Light change with absorbtion/reflection?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad An actual meaning of instantaneous velocity
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Undergrad Does gravity act differently on a Solar System, a Galasy, and the Universe?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate How Does Light-Matter Interaction Challenge Classical and Quantum Views?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Graduate The "electroweak eta meson"
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad How is the weak force related to a change in velocity?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K