Thought Experiment: Does Gravity's Compression Warm an Object?

In summary: Or remain warm for ever due to the eternal compressive force on the object due to the eternal acceleration of gravity on its atoms and molecules?In summary, the conversation is about a thought experiment regarding the effect of gravity on a homogenous object, and whether it will cool down to the temperature of the surrounding space or remain warm due to the eternal compressive force of gravity on its atoms and molecules. This is asked in multiple ways, including whether compression always warms an object and if the existence of matter always implies a higher temperature than the surrounding space. A follow-up question also explores the potential impact of gravity acting in pulses on the temperature of the object.
  • #1
Cayman
1
0
TL;DR Summary
Thought experiment and question concerning whether gravity causes a permanent temperature increase in matter.
Thought experiment:
(1.1) You have a homogenous object, made of one element, floating in space.
(1.2) Gravity has completed the process of accelerating its atoms and molecules into the final state, such that the object is a crystalline sphere.
(1.3) Gravity continues to act on the object, even though the atoms and molecules are now in positions that gravity cannot overcome or move.

Question: Does this object:
(2.1) cool to the temperature of the surrounding space or
(2.2) remain warm for ever due to the eternal compressive force on the object due to the eternal acceleration of gravity on its atoms and molecules?

Asked two other ways:
(3.1) Does compression always warm an object at any scale, even when the compressive force fails to move any of the object's atoms or molecules?
(3.2) Does the existence of matter always imply a temperature greater of the matter than of the surrounding space?

Follow-up question:
(4.1) If gravity occurs in pixels (quantum) and in waves, then this would suggests that, at some sufficiently small scale of time and space, gravity acts in pulses of squeeze and release. If so then would this contribute to an effect of "working" on a crystal, similar to warming up glass by bending repeatedly without breaking it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Cayman said:
Summary:: Thought experiment and question concerning whether gravity causes a permanent temperature increase in matter.

Question: Does this object:
(2.1) cool to the temperature of the surrounding space
Assuming it was not near any heat producing object then it would cool down to 2.725 degrees Kelvin
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes vanhees71 and davenn

1. How does gravity's compression affect the temperature of an object?

Gravity's compression can increase the temperature of an object by converting gravitational potential energy into thermal energy. As an object falls towards a massive body, such as a planet or star, it gains kinetic energy and its particles start to move faster, resulting in an increase in temperature.

2. Can gravity's compression warm an object without any external heat source?

Yes, gravity's compression can warm an object without any external heat source. This is because the increase in temperature is caused by the conversion of gravitational potential energy into thermal energy, rather than the transfer of heat from an external source.

3. Is gravity's compression the only factor that affects an object's temperature?

No, gravity's compression is not the only factor that affects an object's temperature. Other factors such as the object's composition, size, and distance from a heat source also play a role in determining its temperature.

4. Can gravity's compression cool an object instead of warming it?

Yes, gravity's compression can also cool an object. This can happen when an object is moving away from a massive body, such as when a satellite moves away from Earth. As the object moves further away, it loses kinetic energy and its particles slow down, resulting in a decrease in temperature.

5. How is gravity's compression related to the concept of gravitational potential energy?

Gravity's compression is directly related to gravitational potential energy. As an object falls towards a massive body, it loses gravitational potential energy and gains kinetic energy. This conversion of energy is what leads to an increase in temperature due to gravity's compression.

Similar threads

Replies
16
Views
846
Replies
1
Views
221
  • Special and General Relativity
2
Replies
50
Views
2K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
15
Views
1K
Replies
23
Views
962
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
4
Views
857
Replies
43
Views
5K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
15
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
8
Views
1K
Back
Top