Spacetime Curvature by Mass: Gravity Impact?

In summary, the curvature of spacetime is determined by the Einstein equations and is the same everywhere. While it is possible for there to be "harder" or "softer" regions of spacetime, there is currently no evidence or reason to believe that this is the case. Our observations and current theories do not support the existence of varying spacetime curvature based on mass, making it highly unlikely.
  • #1
jparth
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Is there an attribute of spacetime that determines the curvature that will be caused by a specific mass thus resulting to the corresponding gravity?
In other words: can there be "harder" or "softer" regions of spacetime where the same mass will bend spacetime less or more thus resulting to less or more gravity?
 
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  • #2
No. Space-time curvature is governed by the Einstein equations, which are the same everywhere.
 
  • #3
Can there be? Yes, there could. We haven't observed the behavior of every single region of spacetime in the entire history of the universe, so we cannot definitively say that no region of spacetime behaves that way.

Are there? We've observed gravitational phenomena from the scale of small objects on Earth (google for "Eotvos" and "Pound-Rebka") all the way up to the motion of galactic clusters and we have not found the tiniest trace of such an effect. Furthermore, our best current theories (quantum mechanics and general relativity) don't give us any reason to expect to find such a thing.

So the best answer to your question is "almost certainly not".

I do have to point out that your question is a bit like asking whether there are zebras in Antarctica. We haven't looked everywhere in Antarctica, so there might be zebras somewhere there; but we've never seen any evidence of zebras in any of the parts of Antarctica that we do know about; and current theories of biology give us no reason to think that there might be zebras in Antarctica.
 

1. What is spacetime curvature?

Spacetime curvature is the bending or warping of the fabric of spacetime caused by the presence of mass or energy. It is a fundamental concept in Einstein's theory of general relativity, which describes the effects of gravity on the structure of space and time.

2. How does mass affect spacetime curvature?

Mass has a direct impact on the curvature of spacetime. The more massive an object is, the greater its gravitational pull and the more it warps the fabric of spacetime around it. This is why larger objects, such as stars and planets, have a stronger gravitational pull than smaller objects, like asteroids.

3. What is the relationship between spacetime curvature and gravity?

Spacetime curvature and gravity are intimately related. The presence of mass or energy in a particular region of spacetime causes the fabric of spacetime to curve, and this curvature is what we experience as the force of gravity. In other words, gravity is a manifestation of the curvature of spacetime.

4. Can spacetime curvature be observed or measured?

Yes, spacetime curvature can be observed and measured through various experiments and observations. For example, the bending of starlight by the gravitational field of a massive object, known as gravitational lensing, is a direct observation of spacetime curvature. Additionally, precise measurements of planetary orbits and the gravitational redshift of light can also provide evidence of spacetime curvature.

5. Is spacetime curvature the only factor that determines the strength of gravity?

No, spacetime curvature is not the only factor that determines the strength of gravity. The distance between two objects and the masses of the objects also play a role in determining the strength of gravity. However, spacetime curvature is a crucial factor that explains the nature of gravity and its effects on the universe.

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