Relativity question - effects between moving and stationary particles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of moving particles on stationary particles within the framework of special relativity. Participants explore the implications of relative motion and the interaction of particles in the context of spacetime curvature and gravitational effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, Andrew, questions whether stationary particles are unaffected by moving particles or if moving particles can create a spacetime bubble that influences nearby particles.
  • Another participant suggests that moving particles with sufficient mass can affect nearby particles that also have enough mass to alter the spacetime curvature, using an analogy of a heavy ball on a stretched sheet to illustrate the concept.
  • A later reply emphasizes the relativity of motion, noting that the effects of particles depend on the observer's frame of reference and that further understanding requires knowledge of the specific interactions between particles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of interactions between moving and stationary particles, with no consensus reached on the specifics of how these interactions occur or their implications.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about particle interactions and the need for additional theories to fully understand the effects described, particularly in relation to the types of particles involved.

xxYOUKNOWMExx
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hey guys,
im not really a physicist (so sorry if this sounds dumb I guess) but I came on here to ask a question i was meditating on while i was out on a walk --

I have a basic understanding of special relativity (like I said I'm not a physicist though and I haven't really taken any classes in it). From what I understand according to the space time continuum when particles travel through space varying on the it detracts from the time axis on the continuum causing said particles to travel at different rates through time detracting from the overall total which is equal to the speed of light. (feel free to correct me if I am wrong I won't be offended) --

my question is - what effect does this have on nearby particles? Do the stationary particles remain unaffected by the moving particles or can the effect be propelled outward by forces such as gravity to create some sort of a space time bubble that affects everything within it?

any thoughts on the subject are greatly appreciated - I hope this doesn't sound to silly :shy:
-Andrew
 
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Hii Andrew

when any moving particle(having enough mass to change the shape of space time curve) travels then it also affect particles(having enough mass to change the shape of space time curve) nearby it.if the particles not having enough mass to change the shape of space time curve then nothing happened.
You can easily understand it by following example-
take a plastic thin sheet and bound its all 4 corner in horizontal plan so that assume it as space time curve.put a heavy ball at its centre.take an another ball heavier than first and through it smoothly on sheet nearby first ball.u will see that first ball get attracted to second ball...:wink:
 


Moderator's note: thread moved to Special & General Relativity from General Physics.
 


xxYOUKNOWMExx said:
From what I understand according to the space time continuum when particles travel through space varying on the it detracts from the time axis on the continuum causing said particles to travel at different rates through time detracting from the overall total which is equal to the speed of light.

This is one way of looking at it, but it's not the best one, IMO. Some things to keep in mind: motion is relative, so a particle that is moving through space according to one observer could be at rest, not moving at all, according to another observer. "Traveling at different rates through time" is also relative. So you have to be careful drawing inferences from statements like the ones you've made; they're not wrong, but they don't necessarily lead to good further inferences.

xxYOUKNOWMExx said:
my question is - what effect does this have on nearby particles?

Relativity by itself can't answer this; you have to know what kind of particles you're dealing with, and you need a theory of how those particles interact. Any such theory has to be consistent with relativity, but it's still an additional theory.
 

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