- #1
e2m2a
- 354
- 11
How did Einstein compute the amount of light deviation due to the Earth's gravitational field when the Schwarzschild metric was not known yet?
ok. Thanks for the reference.Yukterez said:He didn't get it right at the first try, in fact in his first calculations in 1908 he was off by a factor of 2. The correct result was obtained 1915 using the weak field approximation, see http://home.fnal.gov/~syphers/Education/Notes/lightbend.pdf
http://mathpages.com/rr/s8-09/8-09.htme2m2a said:How did Einstein compute the amount of light deviation due to the Earth's gravitational field when the Schwarzschild metric was not known yet?
Thanks.A.T. said:
Einstein first developed his theory of general relativity in 1915, which included the principle of equivalence that stated that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers, regardless of their motion. He then used this principle to calculate how the path of light would be affected by the curvature of space-time, leading to the concept of light deviation.
The Schwarzschild metric is a mathematical equation that describes the curvature of space-time around a massive object, such as a star or planet. It is the solution to Einstein's field equations in the absence of matter or energy. This metric is used to calculate the path of light in the vicinity of a massive object, allowing us to predict and observe light deviation.
Yes, it is possible to compute light deviation without using the Schwarzschild metric. This can be done by using Einstein's field equations to calculate the curvature of space-time and then using this information to determine the path of light. However, the Schwarzschild metric provides a more efficient and accurate way to compute light deviation.
Understanding light deviation is crucial in many areas of physics, such as astronomy and cosmology. It allows us to study the effects of massive objects on the path of light, which can help us better understand the structure and behavior of the universe. Light deviation is also used in the development of technologies such as gravitational lenses, which can magnify distant objects for observation.
No, the concept of light deviation is not unique to Einstein's theory of relativity. It has been observed and studied by scientists before Einstein's theory, but he was the first to provide a comprehensive explanation of it through his theory of general relativity. Other theories, such as Newton's theory of gravity, also predict light deviation, but they do not take into account the curvature of space-time.