Is inertia the total gravitational forces of the Universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of inertia and its potential relationship to gravitational forces in the universe. Participants explore whether inertia can be understood as a result of the total gravitational forces exerted by all masses in the universe, considering both theoretical implications and conceptual clarifications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that inertia could be linked to the total gravitational forces from all objects in the universe.
  • Others argue that gravitational force can change without affecting an object's inertia, suggesting a complex relationship that is difficult to establish.
  • One participant questions the validity of using the universe as a frame of reference, stating that it lacks a defined origin for a coordinate system.
  • Another participant asserts that equating gravitational force with inertia is problematic due to their fundamentally different concepts and units.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that the mass of all objects may distort space-time geodesics, which could define inertial paths, but does not equate straight lines with inertia itself.
  • One participant describes inertia as the universe's version of the path of least resistance, emphasizing that it is not a force but rather a measure of the energy required to change an object's state of motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the relationship between inertia and gravitational forces, with no consensus reached on the nature of this relationship or the validity of using the universe as a frame of reference.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on specific definitions of inertia and gravitational force, which may not be universally accepted. The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of forces and frames of reference that remain unresolved.

Ian Walker
Hi all

I read a question on this subject from some time ago but was not satisfied with the clarity of the answer and in the light of recent experimental results I wish to clarify my understanding of this ancient scientific question.

What is the cause of Inertia?

So is inertia simply the total gravitational forces from from every object with mass in the universe?

Gravity as I understand is the weakest force but the one for which the range is longest eg we can feel the gravitational forces beyond which we can see objects with visual or radio telescopes.

Is it more accurate to say the gravitational force attenuates more slowly at distance?

Kind Regards Ian Walker
 
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Keep in mind that the gravitational force on an object can change dramatically without any change in the object's inertia. So if there is a connection, it is very hard to see. I don't think that you can make that connection between the two.
 
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FactChecker said:
Keep in mind that the gravitational force on an object can change dramatically without any change in the object's inertia. So if there is a connection, it is very hard to see. I don't think that you can make that connection between the two.
Hi all

In reply to FactChecker,

With the Universe as the Frame of reference?

Kind Regards Ian Walker
 
Ian Walker said:
With the Universe as the Frame of reference?
The universe isn't a frame of reference. Where would you put the origin of the coordinate system?
 
Ian Walker said:
With the Universe as the Frame of reference?
I'm sorry, but that doesn't make any sense and implies something untrue. Inertia works the same regardless of frame of reference.

The idea of equating gravitational force and inertia doesn't make much sense because (among other reasons) the units are different. Thats because they are very different concepts.
 
It may be that the effects of the mass of all objects in the universe cause distortions in the space-time geodesics and that those define an inertial path "straight line". But I don't think that you can say that the definition of a straight line is the same as the definition of inertia.

The universe has straight lines that are the same for any amount of mass. So it can not explain the difference in inertia between a small mass and a large mass.
 
Last edited:
I understand your question, but it is inherently flawed.

Inertia is not a force in and of itself. Inertia is simply the universe's version of path of least resistance. Ultimately, it takes more energy to speed up (or slow down) an object in motion than it does for the object in motion to continue on its way. Inertia is not a force. Inertia is the combined amount of force that has already been applied, and can be thought of as potential energy, an equal but opposite amount of which would be required to stop the object in motion.

Basically, it's easier for something to "not change" whatever it is doing, be it resting or moving. The universe is way lazier than people. WAAAAAAY lazier.
 

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