The discussion centers on the propagation speed of gravitational influence between two stars located one light-year apart. Participants confirm that the most widely accepted theory posits that gravitational changes propagate at the speed of light. The inquiry also touches on the implications for wavefunction spread in quantum mechanics, suggesting a connection between gravitational and quantum field propagation. The conversation highlights the ongoing uncertainty and debate surrounding these fundamental concepts in physics.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, astrophysicists, and students of theoretical physics who are interested in the dynamics of gravitational influence and quantum mechanics.
Are you inquiring about the speed of the propagation of gravity? As far as I know, this is still undertermined. You might find all sorts of answers, from infinite, to 10 times the speed of light, etc.; but I believe the most widely accepted theory at this point in time says that it travels at the speed of light. I will ask the moderators to move this post to the special/general relativity section, if it belongs there.luxiaolei said:Hi,all, problem:
2 stars, distance is 1 lightyear.
If I move one star, will the other star move 1 year later?
Basically, I want expose the problem that, how fast does a field travel.
Thanks In advance!
PhanthomJay said:Are you inquiring about the speed of the propagation of gravity? As far as I know, this is still undertermined. You might find all sorts of answers, from infinite, to 10 times the speed of light, etc.; but I believe the most widely accepted theory at this point in time says that it travels at the speed of light. I will ask the moderators to move this post to the special/general relativity section, if it belongs there.