Principle of Equivalence: Are You in a Gravitational Field?

In summary, the principle of equivalence states that you cannot distinguish between being in a gravitational field or accelerating. This applies at a point and approximately over a small region, but becomes apparent over a large enough region. The lift experiment works because the equivalence principle applies approximately. To prove light bend by gravity, one can look at Eddington's measurements during a solar eclipse and observations of gravitational lensing."
  • #1
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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  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
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,
 
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And how we can prove light bend by gravity
 
  • #5
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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  • #6
Sandeep T S said:
And how we can prove light bend by gravity
Google for Eddington's measurements during a solar eclipse.
 
  • #7
Sandeep T S said:
And how we can prove light bend by gravity
Eddington, as @Ibix says, and also observations of gravitational lensing.
 
  • #8
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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What is the Principle of Equivalence?

The Principle of Equivalence is a fundamental concept in physics which states that the effects of a uniform gravitational field are indistinguishable from the effects of an accelerated frame of reference.

How does the Principle of Equivalence relate to gravity?

The Principle of Equivalence explains that the force of gravity experienced by an object is equivalent to the force experienced by an object in an accelerated frame of reference. This means that the effects of gravity can be interpreted as the effects of acceleration.

Who first proposed the Principle of Equivalence?

The Principle of Equivalence was first proposed by Albert Einstein in his theory of General Relativity in 1915.

Can the Principle of Equivalence be tested?

Yes, the Principle of Equivalence has been tested and confirmed through various experiments and observations, including the famous Eötvös experiment which showed that the acceleration due to gravity is independent of an object's mass and composition.

What are the implications of the Principle of Equivalence?

The Principle of Equivalence has many important implications, including the understanding that gravity is not a force between masses, but rather a curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass or energy. It also helps to explain phenomena such as the bending of light in the presence of massive objects and the slowing of time in gravitational fields.

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