What Would Happen if an Object Fell in a Vacuum?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter g0dfreak
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vacuum
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

An object falling in a vacuum experiences continuous acceleration due to gravitational force without any resistance. While a bowling ball dropped in a vacuum with extreme gravitational pull would accelerate indefinitely, it cannot exceed the speed of light due to relativistic effects. As the object approaches light speed, an outside observer perceives its acceleration as diminishing, while the falling object experiences constant acceleration due to time dilation. This phenomenon illustrates the relationship between gravity, acceleration, and the speed of light in the context of general relativity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity principles
  • Familiarity with gravitational force concepts
  • Knowledge of time dilation effects
  • Basic physics background, particularly in kinematics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of general relativity on gravitational acceleration
  • Study the concept of time dilation in high-velocity scenarios
  • Explore the limitations of speed in relation to light speed
  • Investigate experimental evidence supporting relativistic physics
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and enthusiasts interested in the principles of gravity, acceleration, and the effects of relativity on motion in a vacuum.

g0dfreak
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I had a idea while driving, I have some physics background from college but not much.

If an object were to fall in a vacuum with a gravitational force there would be nothing from slowing it down and it would keep accelerating. If you were to drop an bowling ball in a vacuum with a extreme gravitational pull and a lot of space nothing would stop it and should go faster then light? It would be impossible to replicate but in theory.

Thanks a lot
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think I asked something similar to this in https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=2555021#post2555021". What you have to remember is that you can accelerate forever, but still never reach the speed of light. If I'm remembering right, the acceleration of the object gets infinitely smaller and smaller to an outside observer, but would remain constant from the perspective of the falling object due to time dilation. Hopefully I'm wording that correctly.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
To the outside observer, the force on an object traveling near the speed of light ends up mostly as increased mass, rather than increased speed.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Time Dilation in Gravitational Field: Potential vs Field Strength
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Undergrad If a rock fell 20,000 meters to Earth Question
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad What Happens When an Object Accelerating Away from a Black Hole Stops?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
Undergrad Falling through the event horizon of an evaporating black hole
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
6K
Undergrad Vacuum entanglement: between what and what, exactly?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Non-Inertial Relativistic Dynamics
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Undergrad Gravity as Curvature of Spacetime: Understanding Einstein's Theory
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Can an Object Exceed the Speed of Light?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Undergrad Time Dilation: Gravitational & Velocity Effects Explained
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad What if particles are moving near light speed and one slows?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K