Is There a Limit to How Much Space-Time Can Curve?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of space-time curvature and its limits, particularly in relation to the speed of light and acceleration. Participants explore theoretical implications of these ideas, including the formation of event horizons and the nature of acceleration in extreme gravitational fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if nothing can move faster than the speed of light (c), then nothing can accelerate faster than c per second, implying a limit to how much space-time can curve.
  • Another participant challenges this idea, stating that greater accelerations are observed in particle colliders, indicating that the initial assumption may not hold.
  • A participant expresses confusion about their previous thoughts on acceleration and space-time curvature, indicating a reconsideration of their understanding.
  • Speculation arises about a hypothetical scenario where a massive planetary body could exert an acceleration of 1c/sec at a certain distance from its surface, raising questions about the implications for reaching the speed of light.
  • It is noted that in classical physics, such acceleration could lead to exceeding the speed of light, particularly near a massive object's surface.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are competing views on the relationship between acceleration, speed, and space-time curvature. The discussion remains unresolved with various speculative ideas presented.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about acceleration and its relationship to the speed of light, as well as the dependence on classical versus relativistic physics. The implications of extreme gravitational fields on acceleration are not fully explored.

Crazy Tosser
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First I thought

If nothing can move faster than c, then nothing can accelerate faster than c/sec, right? Well, that means that the maximum amount space-time can curve is up to the ol' 45 degree slope, not like straight down as some black-hole pictures are made. Right?

And then I thought

If the space-time curvature exceeds c/sec, there is an event horizon formed, and no information from that area can reach us - no light can escape that place, and thus the postulates of relativity are not violated.

And now I am confuzzled
 
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Crazy Tosser said:
If nothing can move faster than c, then nothing can accelerate faster than c/sec, right?
No. What would make you think that? We get much greater accelerations in particle colliders, and probably even in x-ray tubes.
 
I was actually just going to post again that I realized that this acceleration would have to continue for one whole second >.< If a mod can please lock this sign of my stupidity>.<
 
What if a planetary body was so massive that the acceleration 299,792,458 meters from the surface was 1c/sec. That would give the mass enough time to accelerate to c, right? I don't know, this is just idle speculation. The thread peaked my interest.

edit: It would accelerate far past c (in classical physics, at least), as the acceleration would increase near the surface
 
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