Using Artificial Gravity As Propulsion

[Photon Guy]

I've heard of the idea of building a spacecraft that produces an artificial gravity well in front of it. As the spacecraft falls forward the artificial gravity well moves forward with it so that the spacecraft will be continually chasing the gravity well as it moves forward with the spacecraft creating a carrot and stick effect. We might even be able to break the light speed barrier with this concept. 

[Genady]

What is artificial gravity well?

[Genady]

Won't the spacecraft be spaghettified?

[Mordred]

You may be referring to the Alcubierre drive though poorly described as it doesn't involve antigravity.

[swansont]

How would this not violate conservation of momentum?

[Photon Guy]

On 5/28/2023 at 7:00 PM, Genady said:

What is artificial gravity well?

A pull of gravity that is produced artificially as opposed to naturally. 

On 5/28/2023 at 8:02 PM, Genady said:

Won't the spacecraft be spaghettified?

Not if the gravity is increased gradually. If you increase the gravity too quickly yes, that would be a problem. 

[exchemist]

On 5/29/2023 at 1:33 AM, swansont said:

How would this not violate conservation of momentum?

Wouldn’t such a drive mean the laws of physics can change with time, though? In which case Noether’s theorem would not apply any more.

[Genady]

1 hour ago, exchemist said:

Wouldn’t such a drive mean the laws of physics can change with time, though? In which case Noether’s theorem would not apply any more.

Change in time would affect energy conservation. To affect conservation of momentum, the physics needs to differ in space.

1 hour ago, Photon Guy said:

A pull of gravity that is produced artificially as opposed to naturally. 

What is an "artificially produced gravity"?

 

1 hour ago, Photon Guy said:

Not if the gravity is increased gradually. If you increase the gravity too quickly yes, that would be a problem.

What does it have to do with how fast or slow it increases?

[swansont]

3 hours ago, exchemist said:

Wouldn’t such a drive mean the laws of physics can change with time, though? In which case Noether’s theorem would not apply any more.

Another way of saying that is that you are violating known conservation laws.

3 hours ago, Photon Guy said:

A pull of gravity that is produced artificially as opposed to naturally. 

How do you artificially produce gravity?

[Phi for All]

3 hours ago, swansont said:

How do you artificially produce gravity?

Co-write the script with your son, get Sandra Bullock and George Clooney to star, and shoot the space scenes in a studio?

[dimreepr]

17 hours ago, swansont said:

How do you artificially produce gravity?

Doctor Who knows how to taste for it, but then it gets all wibbly-wobbly...

[Mars Northman]

On 5/29/2023 at 12:46 AM, Photon Guy said:

I've heard of the idea of building a spacecraft that produces an artificial gravity well in front of it. As the spacecraft falls forward the artificial gravity well moves forward with it so that the spacecraft will be continually chasing the gravity well as it moves forward with the spacecraft creating a carrot and stick effect. We might even be able to break the light speed barrier with this concept. 

...Is there a question?