Why Does Space/Time Not Cause Friction?

[B.L.E.V.E.]

I started general last year and I was wondering why space/time does not cause fricton. Since it has such an effect on large bodies such as our solar system that occupy space in it and with the cassamir effect we know a vacuum can interact with matter under the right conditions. It just seems intuitive that a planet or a star moving through space would be affected as if it were moving through a fluid in some tiny way.

 

[Mentz114]

Whether or not this 'friction' effect exists is not determined, so it is a bit soon to be asking why. There is no experimental or astronomical evidence for this, so if it exists it is too small for our current instruments to detect. If it is of the order of the Planck constant, it will be undetectable for a long time to come.

In some circumstances, gravitational radiation can be emitted which will damp motion. This effect is very small, even in extreme conditions, but has been detected ( with a high probablity) in mutually orbiting of neutron stars, which slow down as energy is radiated away.

 

[Pope33]

Interesting question :)

 

[Bill_K]

It just seems intuitive that a planet or a star moving through space would be affected as if it were moving through a fluid in some tiny way.

You're proposing something that a star could use to tell whether or not it is moving. A friction force tends to slow a moving object down until it comes to rest, but a basic principle of relativity is that "at rest" and "moving" are one and the same.

 

[sardar]

I can explain that the concept of space and time does not cause friction because they are not physical entities that interact with matter in the same way as a fluid or solid object would. Space and time are fundamental concepts that describe the fabric of the universe and the way objects move within it.

Friction is caused by the resistance between two surfaces that are in contact with each other. This resistance is due to the microscopic irregularities on the surfaces that interact and create a force opposing motion. In space, there is no surface or medium for two objects to come in contact with and create friction. The vacuum of space is essentially empty and does not have the same properties as a fluid or solid object.

Additionally, the Cassimir effect, which is a quantum mechanical phenomenon, is a result of virtual particles in a vacuum interacting with matter. This effect is not the same as friction and does not occur on a macroscopic scale. It is important to note that the Cassimir effect is a very weak force and is only noticeable on a very small scale.

Furthermore, the motion of planets and stars through space is not affected by friction because they are constantly moving in a vacuum. In fact, it is the lack of friction that allows these objects to maintain their orbit and momentum without being slowed down.

In conclusion, the concept of space and time does not cause friction because they are not physical entities that interact with matter in the same way as a fluid or solid object would. The vacuum of space and the Cassimir effect do not produce enough force to create friction on a macroscopic scale. It is the absence of friction in space that allows objects to move freely without being impeded.