The mass of an object warps/bends/disturbs spacetime. But does the

In summary, the mass of an object warps/bends/disturbs spacetime and the active warping/bending of spacetime creates mass/energy. This is evidenced by the Einstein field equations which show that a non-vanishing curvature of spacetime is caused by a non-zero energy-momentum tensor, indicating the presence of matter and gravitational fields. Entropy, which is a measure of disorder, can affect spacetime locally by decreasing its curvature, but it does not necessarily result in the flattening of the universe as a whole.
  • #1
PeterShaw
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The mass of an object warps/bends/disturbs spacetime. But does the active warping/bending of spacetime create mass/energy?
 
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  • #2


PeterShaw said:
The mass of an object warps/bends/disturbs spacetime. But does the active warping/bending of spacetime create mass/energy?

Yes. From the Einstein field equations the cause of having a non-vanishing curvature of spacetime is a non-zero energy-momentum tensor which demonstrates the presence of matter and gravitational fields (the latter would not be always the reason for having a curved spacetime).

AB
 
  • #3


PeterShaw said:
The mass of an object warps/bends/disturbs spacetime. But does the active warping/bending of spacetime create mass/energy?
One does not go without the other. Who knows, perhaps they are the same thing.
 
  • #4


"Creates" is different from "goes together with". I think the last is more appropriate with mass and bending. What else than mass can bend spacetime? So if you create more mass, by turning energy into mass, then you create more bending.
 
  • #5


How does entropy affect spacetime? Is this a fair statement to make...'If entropy is a measure of disorder, than as the disorder of a system increases spacetime flattens?'
 
  • #6


PeterShaw said:
How does entropy affect spacetime? Is this a fair statement to make...'If entropy is a measure of disorder, than as the disorder of a system increases spacetime flattens?'

In local regions less momentum and energy density will mean less curvature, but as a whole the universe wouldn't flatten as a result.
 

1. What does it mean for an object to "warp" or "bend" spacetime?

According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, the mass of an object not only creates a gravitational force, but also causes spacetime to curve around it. This curvature is what we refer to as "warping" or "bending" of spacetime.

2. How does the mass of an object affect spacetime?

The mass of an object creates a gravitational field that causes spacetime to curve. The larger the mass, the greater the curvature of spacetime will be. This means that objects with a greater mass will have a stronger gravitational pull, causing other objects to follow curved paths around it.

3. Can the mass of an object actually "disturb" spacetime?

Yes, the mass of an object can indeed "disturb" spacetime. When an object moves or changes its mass, it causes a ripple effect in the fabric of spacetime, similar to how a stone thrown into a pond creates ripples. In this way, the mass of an object can cause a disturbance in the curvature of spacetime.

4. How does the warping of spacetime affect the motion of objects?

The warping of spacetime affects the motion of objects by causing them to follow curved paths around massive objects. This is what we observe as the force of gravity. The amount of curvature in spacetime determines the strength of the gravitational force, which in turn affects the motion of objects.

5. Is the warping of spacetime a real physical phenomenon or just a mathematical concept?

The warping of spacetime is a real physical phenomenon, as demonstrated by various experiments and observations. For example, the bending of starlight by the Sun's gravitational field during a solar eclipse is a direct result of the warping of spacetime. Additionally, the measurement of gravitational waves also supports the concept of spacetime being a physical entity that can be warped by the presence of mass.

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