Why is gravity still called a force?

Question

Gravity is due to the warping of space-time. Unlike the strong, weak and electro magnetic forces (whos nature is unknown), gravity it cause by the shape of space, so why is it still refered to as one of the forces along with the others?

Answer 1

It is not all clear that gravity is due to space-time warp. In fact, evidence indicates that the space-time warp is due to gravity...cause and effect-wise just the opposite of what you assert.

In which case, a messenger particle (called the graviton) is a candidate for carrying that attraction message between masses. By example, the photon is the messenger particle for EM forces and the gluon is that messenger for the strong atomic forces.

The whole field of string/M theory was developed in large part to integrate gravity into the same equations that describe the strong and weak atomic forces, and EM force...the "others" in your question. Quantum gravity, another theory, has also developed because of the belief that gravity forces are carried by quanta; they are not caused by space warping.

Unlike the photon and gluon messenger particles, the graviton has not yet been observed. However, with the Large Hadron Collider coming on line soon, physicists hope to rectify that shortcoming.

Answer 2

I believe you have the concepts reversed. The theory of the warping of space-time would be caused by gravity.

Gravity is the weakest of the four universal forces. The others are Nuclear Force, Weak Radiation Force, and Electromagnetism.

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation helps to describe the force. Every object in the Universe attracts every other object with a force (or pull) along the line of centers of the two objects.

The direct cause of gravity remains unknown but it is an invisible force causing seperate masses to move towards each other according to their masses and distance.

It may affect matter, biology, light, and time. However, gravitational warping of space-time is yet an unproved hypothesis.

Answer 3

The force due to gravity is a fundamental force - since all known objects have mass, they all possess gravity. The force of attraction between two objects with mass is due to gravity. Everything in this universe which is considered a true particle has a mass - hence all objects experience a force of attraction, which can only be due to gravity.

Gravity cannot be broken down into any other components (unlike forces such as friction), hence it must be fundamental. It causes motion - that is to say it causes objects to move (objects to attract eachother mutually) hence there must be a force present.

Answer 4

You're actually wrong. You said,"Gravity is due to the warping of space-time." But it's actually gravity that causes the warp. That's the reason dying stars actually becomes black holes; they collapse on themselves due to the huge amount of gravity it generated. THEN it rips a hole in the fabric of spacetime and you get a wormhole. Bodies with smaller mass are attracted to larger bodies with larger mass because of gravity. Gravity causes a little well in the fabric of spacetime and it's like the small object rolls into the well.

Answer 5

Everthing I can find says calls it a force. The force responsible for the attraction between objects with mass.

I don't think it matters what causes it. It is still a force.

Maybe the info at the site below will help clarify.

Answer 6

Gravity is generally considered and "accerleration" and not a force due to its effect. You exist in a gravitational field, and objects dropped accelerate towards the center (Earth) at 9.8 m/s².

The whole shape of space thing means that it doesn't require interaction (collision, absorption) to work.

Answer 7

The following shows the force of gravity to be that of a particular from of energy - therefore a force.

First, we shall look at the c2 value ("c^2" being understood to represent that of mass acceleration by the force of gravity) on the surface of earth (R = 3,950 miles); then we shall consider Earth at its radius of (R = 0.717 miles). Now, to begin; earth mass, 5.98 x 10 24 kilograms, times that of the gravitational constant 6.6732 x 10 -11, shall give us 399,057,360,000,000 or 3.9905736 x 10 14. This is our (E) energy value ("E" being that of internal heat energy within the mass of our planet) as it exhibits its presence in three dimensions. Next, we need to convert 3,950 miles into meters so everything remains in the metric system of computation. So we multiply that number times l,609.26 to find the distance in meters for the 3,950 miles. This equals 6,356,577; which number we have to multiply times itself in order to find (R2). The radius number times itself becomes 40,406,071,000,000 or 4.0406071 x 10 13. This is our "m" mass number (completing the equation of c^2 = E/m). Now we divide the (E) energy relationship by that of (m) mass and we arrive at 399,057,360,000,000 divided by 40,406,071,000,000; which equals 9.876 meters. By multiplying 9.876 meters times 3.281 we arrive at the English measurement of 32.40 feet acceleration per second 3,950 miles from the center of our planet. At which location you are probably accelerating right now. Then at 0.717 miles from the center point of earth, mass is accelerating at 186,258.84 miles per second. This is almost the speed of light (at 0.716 miles from the center of our planet mass would exceed the speed of light).

There is at http://youtube.com "Successful Gravity Experiment" that shows this force being that of a particular form of energy. It's boring unless you have an interest in such things. http://360.yahoo.com/noddarc goes more into the easy abstract.

Answer 8

I guess bcause of the pull it associates with. Or maybe it is "still" called a force bcause either no one ever thought about changing it or they "they" just dont want to.