Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Boogieman
In fact, if gravity worked the way you propose, it would have to have an infinite velocity, since its effects are instantaneously apparent at any distance (if you can detect them). Anything with an infinite velocity would also have to be ever present in every location in the universe equally, so we would all experience the exact same gravitational effects as everywhere else.

Actually, infinite velocity is exactly what it implies IMO. I don't see how it would follow that  we would all experience the exact same gravitational effects as everywhere else. Gravitational effects are still bound by distance. Not inverse square, thankfully, but the effect lessens with distance, though in theory every single particle, no matter how separated by distance does have some effect on each other gravitationally.

I can't remember exactly where I first read about the discrepancy between the sun's apparent position and it's gravitational effect, as it was some time ago. I think it was a freeper who pointed it out to me, but I get old and forgetful. I'll do some searches on this tonight, if I'm not distracted by shiny things.

58 posted on 10/10/2012 2:07:46 PM PDT by zeugma (Rid the world of those savages. - Dorothy Woods, widow of a Navy Seal, AMEN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies ]


To: zeugma

“I don’t see how it would follow that we would all experience the exact same gravitational effects as everywhere else.”

Well, you’re right that the field would lessen with distance, but if every particle in the universe was emitting a gravitational field that had infinite speed, you would see an effect of interference patterns forming as the gravitional fields would be colliding with every other field. The out waves from all the other fields in the universe would be surrounding every other particle as in waves, creating standing wave patterns. Those standing wave patterns would then harmonically resonate with the other standing waves surrounding all the other particles, and eventually, if the universe was old enough for the effect to be fully realized, the gravity would be the same in every location in the universe.


78 posted on 10/11/2012 9:44:37 AM PDT by Boogieman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson