Physics Question: Gravity and Space-Time

[DVK916]

So we know there is a relationship between gravity and the distortion of Space-Time. I was wondering does gravity it self distort space-time, or does the distoration of space-time cause gravity.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: DVK916
So we know there is a relationship between gravity and the distortion of Space-Time. I was wondering does gravity it self distort space-time, or does the distoration of space-time cause gravity.

Or are the two one and the same?

 

[Vic]

Gravity is the distortion of space-time. The big question is: why is the force that literally holds the universe together so weak relative to all the other forces?

 

[MrDudeMan]

the reason the force is so "weak" compared to the other 3 forces is because of the density of gravitons (if found to actually exist).

for example, when a neutron goes through beta decay, several things happen: one of the down quarks changes to an up quark and a W-boson is emitted. the W-boson splits into an anitneutrino and an electron, while the 'neutron' changes into a proton, so all charge and momentum is conserved. i tell you this for a reason - the reason this stuff happens is the enormous density of virtual photons (subatomic particle that does not obey quantum mechanics since it exists outside of planck time) that are passed back and forth between the particles. on a macroscopic level, the particle emission of grouped together atoms is a function of the virtual photon passing so the resulting emitted particles have less energy and less density as you move far away.

 

[DVK916]

Then what causes the distortion of space-time/gravity.

 

[her209]

Here's a perplexing queston: Do gravitons have mass?

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: her209
Here's a perplexing queston: Do gravitons have mass?

im not sure, but they certainly will have momentum regardless of if they have mass. i am assuming by mass you mean intrinsic mass.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: DVK916
Then what causes the distortion of space-time/gravity.

calling it a distortion does not exactly represent what is happening. to be honest, no one knows exactly what is going on but the best we can do is call it "distortion."

when you picture an atom, what do you see? most people view an atom as a really small solar system, with a nucleus (sun) in the center with revolving electrons (planets). in reality it is almost nothing like that. the area of an atom is more of a probability field that takes the form of a cloud. that still does not 100% accurately describe it but the best word is cloud. since electrons have both particle and wave properties (as well as all other particles and matter), we really dont even know what we are seeing yet.

calling something a particle or a wave is only saying how we observe it - it does not describe what it actually is. knowing what "matter" is and if it is even remotely close to being a particle or wave is still beyond our knowledge.