Just thinking the other day, about velocity in a gravity 'field'.

Say we have an object 1,000,000kms from earth. And it is allowed to go where "nature' wants it to go. As the Earths gravity excerts a pull on our object it starts to move towards the Earth at what we would normally consider velocity ( relative to the earth). But relative to the gravity field it has zero velocity.

So one could argue that a skydiver in free fall actually has zero velocity and if he resists the gravitational pull he has negative velocity.

To negate the pull of the sun the earth has to orbit at a certain velocity. Could this, in this context, be considered a negative velocity?

By taking the pull of the sun and applying it in a perpendicular fashion negates the pull.

Care to discuss this somewhat abstract concept?

QQ:

Just thinking the other day, about velocity in a gravity 'field'.

Say we have an object 1,000,000kms from earth. And it is allowed to go where "nature' wants it to go. As the Earths gravity excerts a pull on our object it starts to move towards the Earth at what we would normally consider velocity ( relative to the earth). But relative to the gravity field it has zero velocity.

If the "gravity field" is caused by Earth, then the velocity relative to the gravity field is exactly the same as the velocity relative to the Earth.

So one could argue that a skydiver in free fall actually has zero velocity and if he resists the gravitational pull he has negative velocity.

If you're in free fall, you're not resisting gravity.

To negate the pull of the sun the earth has to orbit at a certain velocity. Could this, in this context, be considered a negative velocity?

The Earth does not in any way "negate the pull of the sun" by orbiting. Rather, it is in continual free fall towards the sun.

By taking the pull of the sun and applying it in a perpendicular fashion negates the pull.

That is nothing like what actually happens.

thanks for your reply James,

so if I am standing on this earth and continuously falling what is my velocity?

How can you be standing on the Earth and continuously falling at the same time? Your question doesn't make sense.

The Earth does not in any way "negate the pull of the sun" by orbiting. Rather, it is in continual free fall towards the sun.
I would like to ask you the same question:
How can the earth be in continuous freefall without falling.....makes about as much sense...... yes?

James and others,
I am simply trying to explore notions of gravity and velocity due to gravity.
If an object is part of a gravity field and falling as the gravity requires then the velocity of the object could be deemed zero. and any restriction to that falling could be deemed as negative velocity.....by changing the criteria of teh word velocity some gain can be made in the study of inertia and magnetism......because the object and the gravity field are as one and not in conflict the velocity would be zero relative to that field.....

How can the earth be in continuous freefall without falling.....makes about as much sense...... yes?
What James R is saying is that the Earth is continually accelerating toward the Sun. However, due to a velocity perpendicular to the acceleration, the velocity of the Earth does not change magnitude, only direction (for a circular orbit). As the force causing the acceleration is perpendicular to the direction of motion, no work is done.