One of the fundamental postulates of General Relativity is the Principle of Equivalence, which states that it is impossible to distinguish, by any physical means, between the effects of acceleration and the effects of a gravitational field... since we cannot distinguish between the effects, is it a reasonable leap to say that they could be regarded as the same or is there some important difference that makes them unique from one another?
I know it hardly makes sense, but I cannot seem to make myself understand why they would be regarded as different things at all... can somebody please clear this up for me?
2007-02-22 07:05:22 · 3 answers · asked by jason 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
What Einstein was trying to say is that is it indistinguishable. For example, in a spaceship, the acceleration of the spaceship through empty space would keep the astronauts pinned on their seats. Is that gravity or acceleration? It is acceleration, but it is indistinguishable from gravity.
current relativistic theory states that gravity is nothing more than the warping of the space-time continuum by a massive object, much like putting a bowling ball on a mattress. That would mean that gravity is nothing more than the acceleration of a body towards another body as it "glides" through the warp generated in space-time.
2007-02-22 08:32:12 · answer #1 · answered by MSDC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GR doesn't say that accelleration is indinguishable from a gravitational field - atleast, not in the way that you seem to be implying. The principle of equivalence, which forms part of the justification for General Relavity, states that the gravitational force exerted locally to a sufficiently small body is indistinguishable from the psuedo-force acting on an object in an accellerated frame of reference. Please note the importance on this being a sufficiently small body - the principle does not directly concern larger systems, although it is possible to extend it to them.
2007-02-22 15:48:42 · answer #2 · answered by linford86 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may be confusing the earthly realm with the universal realm. A heavenly body hurling through space is different than an automobile taking off from a stoplight. Obviously, we can measure the earthly realm. In the planetary realm the two are interdependent and indistinguishable.
2007-02-22 15:20:28 · answer #3 · answered by davidosterberg1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋