What causes the warping of spacetime?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the fundamental reasons behind the warping of spacetime due to mass, exploring whether this phenomenon is an intrinsic property of mass or can be explained mathematically. The scope includes theoretical considerations and conceptual clarifications related to general relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that mass, stress, pressure, and energy all contribute to the warping of spacetime, suggesting a complex interplay between these factors.
  • Others argue that certain mathematical expressions, such as Wyle and Ricci curvatures, can accurately predict the outcomes of spacetime curvature, indicating a strong mathematical foundation for understanding these phenomena.
  • A participant notes that all mass has energy, which is represented by a non-zero stress-energy tensor, positing this as the source of gravity in general relativity.
  • Another participant questions the synonymous use of "mass" and "matter," suggesting that mass is merely a property of matter, which is a concept invented by humans.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the warping of spacetime is due to intrinsic properties of mass or can be fully explained through mathematics. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential ambiguities in the definitions of mass and matter, as well as the complexity of the mathematical frameworks involved in describing spacetime curvature.

gravityquantum11
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I understand that large objects that have an extreme amount of mass results in the warping of space-time, however my question is more fundamental than that.

I'm wondering why the presence of mass causes the warped space-time. Is there an intrinsic property within mass that causes this warping or can it be explained by the math?

Thanks
 
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gravityquantum11 said:
Is there an intrinsic property within mass that causes this warping or can it be explained by the math?

It turns out that mass, stress, pressure and energy all cause spacetime to warp, that is curve. It also turns out that certain types of curvature, Wyle and Ricci curvatures, offer mathematical expressions that accurately predict outcomes. Einstein had physical insights into the types of spacetime curvature he expected and with the help of others with some of the math was able to formulate mathematics that very accurately modeled such phenomena.

The sciences doesn't usually explain 'why' things happen. Seems like most of that is hidden from our view. It's a wonder that man can produce math that explains as much as it does.
 
gravityquantum11 said:
I'm wondering why the presence of mass causes the warped space-time. Is there an intrinsic property within mass that causes this warping or can it be explained by the math?
All mass has energy, so the stress energy tensor is non zero. That is the source of gravity in GR.
 
gravityquantum11 said:
I'm wondering why the presence of mass causes the warped space-time. Is there an intrinsic property within mass that causes this warping or can it be explained by the math?

Are you using "mass" and "matter" synonymously? Mass is a property of matter. Humans invent properties, but we didn't invent matter.
 

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