What is antigravity? How would it possibly work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of antigravity, exploring its definition, theoretical implications, and the conditions under which it might operate. Participants examine the idea from various perspectives, including physics principles, hypothetical scenarios, and the distinction between overcoming gravity and negating it.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that antigravity does not exist and cannot work within the framework of known physics.
  • Others propose that the term "antigravity" lacks a scientific definition and suggest that concepts like airplanes could be considered as overcoming gravity rather than negating it.
  • It is mentioned that according to General Relativity, antigravity would require negative mass, which is argued to break the laws of physics.
  • Some participants discuss the theoretical possibility of negative mass in classical physics, noting that it could lead to paradoxical situations and would require a reevaluation of fundamental principles.
  • One participant highlights that jumping creates a force that temporarily overcomes gravity, questioning whether this could be classified as creating anti-gravitational energy.
  • There is a suggestion that exotic states of matter could exhibit repulsive gravitational effects, though this is not necessarily labeled as antigravity.
  • Links to previous discussions on antigravity are provided, indicating a history of varied viewpoints on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the existence or feasibility of antigravity. Multiple competing views are presented, with some arguing against its possibility while others explore theoretical frameworks that might allow for it.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to classical physics and General Relativity, highlighting the complexities and unresolved questions surrounding the concept of negative mass and its implications for antigravity. Participants express uncertainty about the existence of negative mass and its compatibility with established physical laws.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring theoretical physics, concepts of gravity, and the boundaries of current scientific understanding regarding gravitational interactions.

  • #31
Well, what about the idea of countering the effect of gravity without having to expel onboard propellant, or push off the atmosphere?

Is there any speculation on how to expend energy to achieve gravitational potential without expelling propellant or pushing off the atmosphere? Needless to say, it's fine to have some conversion penalty associated with this conversion of stored energy (battery? nuclear?) into gravitational potential energy. But is there any mechanism to do this conversion directly, without ejecting onboard propellant or pushing off the atmosphere?
 
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  • #32
Suppose the Coulomb Force had the same distance range (falloff range) as Gravity -- in that case, it would be easy to effectively counter gravity by having your charged spaceship Coulombically push off some charged plate sitting on the ground.

But of course, Coulomb Force does not have the same falloff range as gravity -- it's unfortunately much shorter. So we can't rely on Coulombically pushing off the ground, unless you're near enough to it (within Coulombic range).

Some people wish there was an electromagnetic aether that we could Coulombically push off of. Then you could compensate for the inferior falloff range of Coulombic force, by pushing off something nearer to you (the aether).

Gravity and inertia are such a blessing and a curse. They make life as we know it possible, and yet also keep us caged and unable to leave the Earth more easily.

Is it possible to find a better method of travel than action-reaction?
 
  • #33
hustleberry said:
antigravity spawned from the notion of antimatter and from there people thought of anti matter galaxies,universes,space-time,and hence gravity its just like saying that since we a north pole and south pole that there is a whole world with south poles only. which just complete nonsense but however antimatter does exist and when combined theoretically produces an enormus burst of energy

they would have north and south, but their north would be to our south. if you put a magnet in a field and make it spin in our universe, it will spin one way. do it in an anti-matter universe and it will do the same, but in the other direction.

If you really want to take anti-gravity seriously, look up the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutchison_effect" it really works! except only when the cameras are not rolling :smile: when discovery channel went to film it, they didnt see anti-gravity, his machine juts caught fire:smile:
 
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