would zero point energy be attracted to the sun?

Question

if the sun attracts zero point energy, would that increase the "density" of zero point energy in the vicinity of the sun? Thus leading to an apparent increase in mass of the sun to a distanct observer?

it seems like that on account of e=mc^2 that a system that has energy would be affected by gravity. It is asserted that a vacuum is not empty, that virtual particles pop in and out of existence. While exiting they should be accerated. In fact Hawkings assertion that black holes evaporate because of capture of one of a pair of virtual particles causes a real particle to be ejected from the event horizon of a black hole, thus causing a loss of energy by the black hole, thus causing a loss of mass by the black hole.

Answer 1

I might not be thinking what you are thinking, but in physics, the zero-point energy is the minimum of a potential energy function. It turns out that in bounded systems (which pretty much everything is) that the zero-point energy of the system is greater than the potential energy defined by the system, which implies that there is always kinetic energy, even if the system in entirely in the ground state, found at 0 K. I'm guessing that you are referring to something else.

ADDENDUM: After communication from the questioner, I understand the point. I think that there MAY be a gravitational effect, but I suspect that it would more affected by electromagnetic and relativistic effects, but it's hard to tell.

Answer 2

Zero point energy still seems to exist and effect matter in space. So matter would effect it. So the gravity caused by the sun should attract zero point energy, an anything containing it (i.e., all matter) toward it, I would imagine.

Answer 3

Interesting theory...

Answer 4

What?

Answer 5

huh???????????