On Einstein´s theory of curved spacetime.

In summary: Now if you view the cosmos from the side like imagine all planets horizontally they say spacetime is curved in a way like heavy sphere objects lying on a trampoline. What happens to the spacetime above the middle of the objects really, it seems like according to this space can push only on one side of the large objects. But it seems its pushing all around. And what if you can't view the scholarsystem horizontally but vertically, how do you then judge the curvature of space. Like it doesn't work the other way around. Taking the pi and viewing the higgs field around a planet even when its not a circular curvature doesn't matter, there should be a slight difference in gravity in some point on the planet, i mean
  • #1
svenraun
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Now if you view the cosmos from the side like imagine all planets horizontally they say spacetime is curved in a way like heavy sphere objects lying on a trampoline. What happens to the spacetime above the middle of the objects really, it seems like according to this space can push only on one side of the large objects. But it seems its pushing all around. And what if you can't view the scholarsystem horizontally but vertically, how do you then judge the curvature of space. Like it doesn't work the other way around. Taking the pi and viewing the higgs field around a planet even when its not a circular curvature doesn't matter, there should be a slight difference in gravity in some point on the planet, i mean exactly where pi becomes infinite. So the curvature should be actually a perfect sphere while the Earth for example is falling through space. Depends which point you are observing. Anyone familiar with this ?
 
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  • #2
There is no such thing as viewing "the cosmos from the side", "vertically", or from any other outside-looking-in direction. The trampoline analogy is just that—an analogy (and not a very good one). We are inside spacetime. We measure its curvature by looking at how free falling (inertial) test bodies behave. In flat spacetime, the separation between two inertial particles changes linearly with time. In curved spacetime, this is not true in general, and the extent to which it fails to be true is a measure of local curvature.
 
  • #3
The trampoline example is just an analogy. In it, all of 3 dimensional space exists along the surface of the trampoline. Another way to look at it is it reduces all of space to two dimensions and use the third dimension to show the curve. This is done this way because we have no way of depicting 3 dimensions curved through a fourth dimension.

And even if we could, it would still be an analogy. Space-time curvature doe not actually require a 4th spatial dimension. It really is the result of non-Euclidean geometry.
 
  • #4
svenraun said:
Now if you view the cosmos from the side like imagine all planets horizontally they say spacetime is curved in a way like heavy sphere objects lying on a trampoline. What happens to the spacetime above the middle of the objects really, it seems like according to this space can push only on one side of the large objects. But it seems its pushing all around. And what if you can't view the scholarsystem horizontally but vertically, how do you then judge the curvature of space. Like it doesn't work the other way around. Taking the pi and viewing the higgs field around a planet even when its not a circular curvature doesn't matter, there should be a slight difference in gravity in some point on the planet, i mean exactly where pi becomes infinite. So the curvature should be actually a perfect sphere while the Earth for example is falling through space. Depends which point you are observing. Anyone familiar with this ?

Probably the best way to grasp "curvature" of space-time is to use the mathematical definition of curvature. Basically, if you move a tangent vector along a closed path in a curved space, trying not to change it's orientation, it won't return to it's original orientation (notice that the tangent vector has to be tangent to the space). You can try it with the surface of a sphere: start with a vector pointing north at the equator. Then move it across the equator to the other side of the sphere. Now move it north to the north pole, and then continue in that direction until you reach the original point. If you did it correctly, the resulting vector should be pointing towards the south pole now. All of this can be done without considering the sphere as something living in 3 dimensions.

This is also the effect of the gravitational field. This curvature makes "geodesics", or paths of shortest distance, more complicated than just straight lines, and these "geodesics" are what particles follow. This is how gravity "pulls" things: they don't follow straight lines, which since Newton we associate with particles moving without forces applying to them.
 
  • #5


I am familiar with Einstein's theory of curved spacetime and the analogy of heavy objects on a trampoline. This analogy is often used to explain the concept of gravity and how it affects the curvature of spacetime. However, it is important to note that this is just an analogy and should not be taken too literally.

In reality, the curvature of spacetime is not limited to just one side of the heavy objects. The curvature is present all around the objects and affects the entire spacetime fabric. This can be observed in the way that objects with mass, such as planets, orbit around each other and are affected by the curvature of spacetime.

Additionally, the curvature of spacetime is not dependent on the orientation in which it is viewed. Whether viewed horizontally or vertically, the curvature remains the same. This is because the curvature is a result of the presence of mass and not the orientation in which it is viewed.

Furthermore, the concept of pi and the Higgs field are not directly related to the curvature of spacetime. While they may play a role in the understanding of gravity and mass, they are not the determining factors in the curvature of spacetime.

In conclusion, while the analogy of a trampoline can help in understanding the concept of curved spacetime, it is important to remember that it is just an analogy and should not be taken too literally. The curvature of spacetime is a complex concept that is still being studied and understood by scientists.
 

1. What is Einstein's theory of curved spacetime?

Einstein's theory of curved spacetime, also known as general relativity, is a theory that explains how gravity works in the universe. It states that massive objects such as planets and stars cause a curvature in the fabric of spacetime, and this curvature is what we experience as gravity.

2. How did Einstein develop this theory?

Einstein developed his theory of curved spacetime by building on the work of previous scientists, such as Isaac Newton's theory of gravity and the equations of electromagnetism. He also used mathematical concepts, such as tensor calculus, to describe the curvature of spacetime.

3. What evidence supports Einstein's theory of curved spacetime?

There is a significant amount of evidence that supports Einstein's theory of curved spacetime. One of the most famous examples is the bending of light by massive objects, such as stars, which was observed during a solar eclipse in 1919. Other evidence includes the precise predictions of the orbits of planets and the existence of gravitational waves.

4. How does curved spacetime affect the movement of objects?

Curved spacetime affects the movement of objects by causing them to follow the curvature of spacetime. Objects with mass will move along the shortest path in curved spacetime, which is known as a geodesic. This is why planets orbit around stars and why objects fall towards the Earth.

5. Can Einstein's theory of curved spacetime be proven wrong?

Like all scientific theories, Einstein's theory of curved spacetime is subject to further testing and exploration. While there is currently no evidence that contradicts the theory, it is possible that future discoveries or advancements in technology could lead to a better understanding of gravity and the universe.

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