Light Bending on Single Point: What Happens?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of light as it interacts with massive objects, specifically two stars, A and B. It concludes that if light travels directly towards the center of star B, it will not bend due to the star's gravitational field, as the rotational symmetry of the situation dictates that the light's path remains unchanged. Instead, the light will be absorbed by star B upon impact. This analysis emphasizes the principles of gravitational lensing and the effects of mass on light propagation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational lensing principles
  • Familiarity with the concept of rotational symmetry in physics
  • Basic knowledge of light propagation and absorption
  • Awareness of general relativity and its implications on light behavior
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of gravitational lensing in astrophysics
  • Study the effects of mass on light propagation in general relativity
  • Investigate the concept of rotational symmetry in physics
  • Learn about light absorption mechanisms in stellar environments
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, and students interested in the interaction of light with massive celestial bodies, as well as those studying general relativity and gravitational effects on light.

Uzbar Zibil Tarag
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Say you have two stars, star A and star B, separated by a distance of x, and the light from star A went directly from A to B but was heading directly for the centre point of star B.
If the light passed near star B then due to the mass the will bend, yet if it was to pass through (or try to) the centre with all other forces consider negligible which direction would the light bend to? Or would it bend at all?
 
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Uzbar Zibil Tarag said:
which direction would the light bend to? Or would it bend at all?
The first question basically answers the second.
 
How?
The first part is asking if light will bend the second part is offering a second option that light might take in this situation.
 
If you send a light ray straight through a star then of course (by rotational symmetry) it can not bend in any direction. The wavelength of the light will of course be affected by the gravitational field but the direction will not.
 
Uzbar Zibil Tarag said:
the light from star A went directly from A to B but was heading directly for the centre point of star B.

If that is true then the light won't bend at all, it will just hit star B and be absorbed.
 

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