Are gravitational fields in space all Uniform?

Answer 1

In general, they are all non-uniform. In fact, I have a hard time coming up with one single example of a uniform field. Very large fields can be considered uniform on a small neighbourhood (e.g., the Galaxy's gravitational field can be considered uniform when doing calculations within our solar system).

For example, Earth's gravitational field is oriented to Earth's centre. Two objects that are separated by 1852 m on Earth's surface are attracted towards the same centre: the lines defining their vertical direction are NOT parallel: the difference is 1/60 of a degree.

If you were to stand in an elevator with two objects (one in each hand) and the elevator was released in free fall. You and the two objects would fell weightless (you are all falling at exactly the same rate as the elevator -- i'm ignoring friction).

If you were to release the objects from your hand at a very precise distance from each other AND if you could do so without imparting any force to the objects, they would still appear, to you, to be attracted to each other. That is because they are (as viewed by an outsider) each falling on their own vertical lines, towards the common centre of the gravitational field.

This non-uniformity of the field is what is called the "curvature" of space. The elevator example shows how "curvature" could be seen as generating gravity. For the observer stuck in the same elevator as the two objects, gravity appears to be an attraction between the two objects. For an observer outside, the attraction between the two objects is simply the result of the non-uniformity of the field.

Answer 2

I think that goring means are there different kinds of gravity.
Obviously, the strength of fields vary with mass and distance.
But for equal masses having equivalent gravitational fields, have there been found to be differences or variations in the properties of those fields?
To my knowledge, that answer is no.

Answer 3

No. Gravity falls off as the inverse square. That means Earth's gravity is 4 times weaker when you are 2 times farther away, 100 times weaker when you are 10 times farther away, and so on. Also, gravity from all planets and stars overlaps and combines. That is what makes the Moon orbit the Earth while the Earth orbits the Sun while the Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

Answer 4

No, objects in space distort the gravitational field.

Answer 5

If this is uniform at each ingredient in area-time, then you definately're asserting that that the curvature of the gap-time regionally an identical everywhere. i do no longer see why this is no longer achievable, in reality it may be lots easier to do it if the curvature became into uniform everywhere interior the universe. The quantum gravity concept basically has to lessen to well-known relativity for extensive distances the place quantum mechanical outcomes may well be surpassed over. String concept has already performed it besides.

Answer 6

Not if there are masses present.