In brief, the equivalence principle states that gravity and acceleration are the same thing. In actual scientific language, it is stated that there is no way to determine, if you are isolated and cannot access external references, the difference between being in a gravitaional field and being accelerated. This is usually visualized by imagining a rocketship with no windows in outer space. If the rocketship accelerates at 1g, everything inside will behave the same way as if it were stationary on the surface of a planet with 1g gravity. (One has to add the caveat that the planet be large compared to the area of the rocket to ignore the fact that the gravity field of the planet is non-uniform,)
The equivalence principle led to the development of the General Theory of Relativity, which states that masses distort spacetime; objects in spacetime follow "shortest distance" paths if they are not subjected to forces. In curved space, these "shortest paths" in spacetime are curved. Sometimes they are curved in space, like the orbit of objects around a planet. Sometimes they are straight in space but curved in spacetime, like the path of an object falling to earth. The spacial path is a straight line, but if you include the time axis, you will see that he path is curved (it is acclelerating). In order to prevent the object from following the "shortest distance" path, a force is needed. So when the falling object lands on earth, and stops accelerating, it experiences gravitational force.
2006-09-20 17:15:36
·
answer #1
·
answered by gp4rts 7
·
1⤊
0⤋
i'm presently examining this fact. i'm going to describe it so as which you will for sure understand. The equivalance thought asserts which you would be able to no longer distinguish between being at relax in a gravitational field, or being sped up upward in a gravity-unfastened ecosystem. We properly known Einstein for this because of the fact he centred totally on action, fairly than rigidity, on a similar time as dicussing gravity. to furnish you an analogy, image 2 men in distinctive cubicles... one is at relax in his compartment interior the Earths gravitational field, and the different is shifting in a gravity-unfastened compartment. If each guy had an apple of their palms and dropped it the apple interior the 1st mans compartment might drop to the floor because of the fact the Earths gravity speeds up the apple downward.you know that ,of path.Now, the 2nd guy additionally drops an apple on a similar time as shifting upward in his compartment and drops his apple, it additionally hits the floor because of the fact his compartment speeds up upward. it extremely is Einsteins thought of relativity which states that throughout a small volume of area, the downward pull of gravity may well be accurately and thoroughly duplicated with the aid of an upward acceleration of the observer. i wish it extremely is obvious to you.
2016-10-15 06:02:10
·
answer #2
·
answered by bassage 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
Law 1: Every body continues in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right (straight) line, unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed upon it.
Law 2: The change of motion is proportional to the motive force impressed; and is made in the direction of the right (straight) line in which that force is impressed.
Law 3: To every action there is always an opposed and equal reaction: or, mutual actions of two bodies upon each other are always equal, and directed to contrary parts. (opposite direction)
the link below is much more in depth.
2006-09-20 17:33:40
·
answer #3
·
answered by steamroller98439 6
·
0⤊
1⤋