Fallacy , Space can be bent , warped or contorted .
- Thread starter river
- Start date
Nothing "grasps a hold" of space. We consider space warped when objects/energy passing through that space follows a geodesic curve rather than a straight line.
TheVat
Registered Senior Member
Space is a semantically weak descriptor, an abstraction of something which has latent energy and at the Planck scale may be something like a fluid (physicists call it a superfluid, which has an extremely low viscosity). Whatever it is, it's not just empty nothing. In quantum field theory, it is a structure in which quantum fields exist, part of space-time. Large bits of matter change this structure, and warping or bending are just pop science language to convey the effects of this by offering a visual analogy.
Pinball1970
Valued Senior Member
Lensed stars and galaxies being examples, if there is a suitably massive objective in front.
DaveC426913
Valued Senior Member
No informed person would disagree with the title of this thread (because it is a strawman).
What river probably means to talk about is spacetime.
Einstein's theories of relativity model spacetime as four dimensions - 3 space and one time - that have an interdependent relationship. Movement in spacetime occurs through in four dimensions simultaneously, but it is not strictly linear.
In a nutshell, the greater the movement through the spatial dimensions results in a non-linear change in movement through the time dimension. This can be modeled as a matrix wherein objects follow geodesics through spacetime that appear curved from the vantage point of us viewing them in 3D space.
For example, a satellite falling toward Earth is actually tracing a straight path through spacetime. We see this as - and represent it in diagrams as - a curved line in 3D space.
What river probably means to talk about is spacetime.
Einstein's theories of relativity model spacetime as four dimensions - 3 space and one time - that have an interdependent relationship. Movement in spacetime occurs through in four dimensions simultaneously, but it is not strictly linear.
In a nutshell, the greater the movement through the spatial dimensions results in a non-linear change in movement through the time dimension. This can be modeled as a matrix wherein objects follow geodesics through spacetime that appear curved from the vantage point of us viewing them in 3D space.
For example, a satellite falling toward Earth is actually tracing a straight path through spacetime. We see this as - and represent it in diagrams as - a curved line in 3D space.
DaveC426913
Valued Senior Member
This is not philosophy. I have reported it to have it moved to a more appropriate forum - ideally, Free Thoughts, which is what it is.
disagree . Without space no thing can exist , something and life could never exist . Because there is no space .
Imagine having no space in which to stretch your arms beyond your body .
Space is not about viscosity , it has none . Space , its self , in and of its self , does not constrict movement , by any physical object , or form of energy .
Two completely different things. In your example, if you have "no space to stretch" it is because other things exist in that space.
Exactly .
Imagine a propulsion system that can get us from Earth to the Moon , in a straight line .
other things in that space are because of space in the first place , everything , everything , everything , needs space . As well as you . To exist .
Not hard to imagine. It would be incredibly wasteful, since spacetime is, in fact, curved near gravity wells.
Agreed .
So with speed you can pass through these " gravity wells " .
DaveC426913
Valued Senior Member
Yes but you follow a curved path.
A straight line though space is not the most efficient path. It takes more energy to stick to a straight path than it does to yield to the vissictitudes of gravity.
to your first statement , with great enough speed the path is not curved but a straight line . We are use to rocket propulsion systems , thinking . Which are slow and need the " sling shot " to get to faster speeds .
A more advanced propulsion system is beyond rocket science .
DaveC426913
Valued Senior Member
This is not true. It may be straighter, but you just need a more accurate ruler.
Sure. You do realize that the propulsion systems are powered by engineering and not by wishful thinking, right? Magic would be even more efficient than anti-gravity drive. We'll get right on that, shall we?
You should know that people are researching anti-gravity , engineers and the like right now . And has been going on for 100yrs , at least . You should know this .
Your so mainstream Dave . Open your mind a bit .
DaveC426913
Valued Senior Member
Yes they are. And so far they have had no luck.
My mind is open. Spaceships are not powered by research; they are powered by developments.
Thinking that "anti-gravity would be cool" does not make it a reality.