What Are Gravity Waves and How Do They Work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of gravitational waves, exploring their nature, existence in different frameworks (Newtonian vs. General Relativity), and the mechanisms behind their propagation. Participants delve into theoretical implications, experimental detection methods, and analogies to better understand gravitational waves.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the nature of gravitational waves, asking how they can exist if gravity is understood as the warping of space.
  • Others propose that gravitational waves can be thought of as ripples in space, akin to waves on a pond, though the specifics of their frequency and speed remain uncertain.
  • A participant argues that gravitational waves do not exist in Newtonian mechanics due to the absence of a gravitational equivalent to magnetism, while others suggest that oscillations can occur in Newtonian gravity but propagate at infinite speed.
  • There is a discussion about how gravitational waves behave when encountering gravity wells, with some suggesting that their wavelength changes as they interact with such wells.
  • Participants mention ongoing experiments, such as LIGO, aimed at detecting gravitational waves, and discuss the setup involving heavy metal cylinders and laser interferometry.
  • Some participants express confusion about what is oscillating in gravitational waves, referencing terms like "metric" and "vacuum." Others clarify that General Relativity provides a classical picture of these waves, distinct from quantum interpretations.
  • There are analogies drawn between gravitational waves and electromagnetic waves, particularly in how they can be described mathematically in weak-field scenarios.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the nature and existence of gravitational waves, particularly in relation to Newtonian mechanics and General Relativity. Participants do not reach a consensus on several points, including the specifics of how gravitational waves propagate and what constitutes their medium.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions and implications of gravitational waves, indicating that there may be missing assumptions or unresolved mathematical steps in their arguments. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations and understandings of gravitational waves without definitive conclusions.

  • #31
Creator said:
Antiphon said:
In a way- the wavelength should shorten as they fall in and lengthen as
they leave the [gravity] well. Shorter wavelengths have higher energy but not
higher amplitude.

Would you mind stating what empirical or theoretical evidence you have for believing that? Not that I have evidence to the contrary; just want to see how you arrived at that conclusion.

When the gravity wave (which carries energy and momentum) is climbing
out of the gravity well, it has to do work againt the well's field. This work
equals the energy that it picked up on the way down into the well.

While in the well, the extra energy shows up as a higher frequency which
is also a shorter wavelength since the speed is always measured as c.
 
Last edited:

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