Einstein's Theory of Gravity Waves: Speed of Light

In summary, Einstein likely determined that gravity waves travel at the speed of light based on his rejection of the ether theory and his application of the Lorentz transformations with c2 components. However, it is difficult to find documentation of his thought process. It has been suggested that his intuition about physical interactions played a role, but this also led him to reject quantum mechanics. Other researchers, such as Lichnerowicz in 1955, have also studied this topic and can provide further information.
  • #1
Zman
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On what basis did Einstein determine that gravity waves travel at the speed of light?
 
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  • #2
I'm guessing by analogy with electromagnetic waves...with his interpretations that ether theory is false...that the Lorentz transformations with c2 components were applicable...but it IS difficult to find documentation of Einstein's path thru GR...

One popular physics author mentioned in passing he had read Einstein's original notes and that many of Einstein's errors would be obvious to a modern physicst because of all the progress since...of course it easier to have a theory explained to you rather than have to do the original work!
Apparently Einstein's real genius is he intuition about physical interactions...what "feels" right...but that later led him off course when he rejected quantum mechanics as illustrated by "God does not play dice" observation...
 
  • #3
Zman said:
On what basis did Einstein determine that gravity waves travel at the speed of light?

I ignore if he did determine this result. But other researchers did, for example Lichnerowicz in 1955. Just look for some references and you certainly will find the solution to your question.
 

1. What is Einstein's Theory of Gravity Waves?

Einstein's Theory of Gravity Waves, also known as the General Theory of Relativity, is a scientific theory that explains how gravity works. It states that gravity is not a force between masses, but rather a curvature of space and time caused by the presence of massive objects.

2. How does this theory relate to the speed of light?

According to Einstein's theory, the speed of light is a fundamental constant and is the maximum speed at which all matter and information in the universe can travel. This means that gravity waves, like all other forms of energy, cannot travel faster than the speed of light.

3. Can gravity waves travel faster than the speed of light?

No, according to Einstein's theory, gravity waves cannot exceed the speed of light. This has been confirmed by various experiments and observations, including the detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO and VIRGO collaborations.

4. How does the speed of light affect our understanding of the universe?

The speed of light plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe. It determines the maximum speed at which information can travel, which in turn affects how we perceive the passage of time, the size and age of the universe, and the behavior of objects in space.

5. Are there any exceptions to the speed of light in Einstein's theory?

While the speed of light is considered a constant in Einstein's theory, there are some phenomena, such as gravitational lensing, that can temporarily alter the path of light. However, these effects do not violate the overall principle that the speed of light is the ultimate cosmic speed limit.

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