in search of a gravitational understanding

[jjl1365]

Good afternoon, My name is Joe and I am on a quest to get a complete understanding of gravity and there are a couple questions which I am beginning the quest with.

 

Does a planet or object in space that does not spin create or have gravity?

Does the size or the mass affect it's pull on other objects?

Is it possible to distort and direct gravitational fields?

 

 

 

thank you

[ajb]

Does a planet or object in space that does not spin create or have gravity?

 

According to general relativity is the energy-momentum of an object that is responsible for its gravitational field. General relativity describes gravity as the local geometry of space-time.

 

 

In the Newtonian limit it is the mass that is important.

 

The rotation does effect the gravitational field viz frame dragging.

 

Does the size or the mass affect it's pull on other objects?

 

As above, it is the mass that is the important thing.

 

For a spherical mass distribution the gravitational field outside the mass is identical to as if the mass was concentrated at a point at the centre.

 

Is it possible to distort and direct gravitational fields?

 

There is the idea of space-time engineering. That is people are (mostly theoretically) thinking about how one can manipulate space-time to create wormholes, warp drives, time-machines etc.

 

I should add that the reasons for doing this tend to be to push general relativity to its limit, rather than trying to make time-machines in the lab.

Edited February 12, 2010 by ajb

[swansont]

Spin is not required for gravity. Frame dragging that ajb mentioned is a change on the field but not the source of it.

 

As yet distortion or shaping of the gravitational fields isn't possible.

[michel123456]

Welcome joe.

You have chosen one of the most difficult subject.

I am on a quest to get a complete understanding of gravity

So do I. And not only.

Your questions make me think you have your own ideas.

Shoot.

[swaha]

mass is what matters in gravity not spin. dont know about the 3rd.