Principle of Equivalence: Are You in a Gravitational Field?

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    Equivalence Principle
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Principle of Equivalence, particularly in the context of distinguishing between gravitational fields and acceleration. Participants explore the implications of the principle in various scenarios, including the behavior of light in gravitational fields and the feasibility of experiments involving lifts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to determine which lift is in a gravitational field, suggesting that gravitational acceleration decreases with distance.
  • Another participant clarifies that the equivalence principle applies strictly at a point and only approximately over small regions, with curvature becoming significant over larger areas.
  • There is a challenge regarding the practicality of the lift experiment if the principle is only applicable at a point.
  • Participants inquire about methods to prove light bending due to gravity, referencing Eddington's measurements during a solar eclipse and gravitational lensing as examples.
  • One participant points out that many questions could be addressed through online searches, indicating a perceived lack of effort in seeking information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of the equivalence principle in practical scenarios, particularly regarding the lift experiment and the detection of gravitational effects. There is no consensus on the implications of the principle or the methods to prove light bending.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in the applicability of the equivalence principle over larger regions and the challenges in detecting differences in acceleration within small experimental setups.

Sandeep T S
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Consider 2 lifts ,one on ground and other on acceleration, principle of equivalance says you can't find you are on a gravitational field, or accelerating. g decrease when r increase so I can find which lift on gravitational field ?
 
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Of course. The equivalence principle, strictly speaking, only applies at a point (any point). It applies approximately over a small region, but over a large enough region curvature becomes apparent.
 
Ibix said:
Of course. The equivalence principle, strictly speaking, only applies at a point (any point). It applies approximately over a small region, but over a large enough region curvature becomes apparent.
If it is a point then how lift experiment could possible,
 
And how we can prove light bend by gravity
 
Sandeep T S said:
If it is a point then how lift experiment could possible,
Because the lift is a small region and the equivalence principle applies approximately. Calculate the different (Newtonian) accelerations at the bottom and top of a typical lift. Could you detect that difference?

Formally, the equivalence principle means that the second derivatives of the metric can be made to vanish at a chosen point by an appropriate choice of coordinates, and the smoothness of the metric means that the second derivatives are small nearby. So no matter how precise your experiment, there's always a smaller separation where you will not be able to detect a difference between being on a rocket and on a planet.
 
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Sandeep T S said:
And how we can prove light bend by gravity
Google for Eddington's measurements during a solar eclipse.
 
Sandeep T S said:
And how we can prove light bend by gravity
Eddington, as @Ibix says, and also observations of gravitational lensing.
 
Sandeep T S said:
And how we can prove light bend by gravity
Sandeep, you don't seem to realize how many of your questions could be answered with a simple Google search: For example:
upload_2018-7-14_15-18-25.png
 

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