What is the difference between the equivalence principle and Newton's third law?

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SUMMARY

The equivalence principle is fundamentally an application of Newton's third law, as discussed in the forum. Participants clarified that while the equivalence principle relates to gravitational and inertial forces, it also extends to light, demonstrating that light experiences twice the deflection compared to predictions made by Newton's laws. This distinction highlights the limitations of Newtonian physics in explaining certain phenomena, particularly in the context of general relativity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion, specifically the third law.
  • Familiarity with the equivalence principle in physics.
  • Basic knowledge of light behavior in gravitational fields.
  • Concepts of general relativity and its implications on classical mechanics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the equivalence principle in general relativity.
  • Study the differences between Newton's laws and Einstein's theories.
  • Explore the behavior of light in gravitational fields using Einstein's equations.
  • Learn about experimental validations of the equivalence principle.
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of classical mechanics and general relativity.

vin300
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The equivalence principle is a straightforward application of Newton's third law, isn't it? There's nothing new in it
 
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Hi vin300! :smile:
vin300 said:
The equivalence principle is a straightforward application of Newton's third law, isn't it? There's nothing new in it

Do you mean Newton's second law (F = dmomentum/dt)?

But it applies to light, and it gives twice as much deflection as Newton does.
 

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