Gravity as a fundamental force?

In summary, according to the general theory of relativity, gravity is the curvature of space-time caused by massive objects. It is not a force in the classical sense, but rather a result of the curvature of space. Despite this, it is still considered one of the four fundamental interactions in physics, along with the strong and weak nuclear forces, and electromagnetism. However, some argue that it is more accurate to refer to these as fundamental interactions rather than forces, as they cannot be reduced to more basic entities.
  • #1
pero2912
15
1
This is what I got after watching some documentaries: Acording to the general theory of relativity, gravity is curvature of space-time caused by the massive objects. It was explained that it is not a force in a sense that it acts between two bodies, but it curves the space and the bodies are forced to move as if the force acts upon them. If so, why is gravity considered to be one of the four fundamental forces, just like othere were bodies actually interact with each other?
 
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  • #2
I noticed that Wikipedia now refers to this concept as the fundamental interactions rather than the fundamental forces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_interaction

Fundamental interactions, also known as fundamental forces or interactive forces, are modeled in physics as patterns of relations in physical systems, evolving over time, whose objects appear not to be reducible to more basic entities.
 
  • #3
pero2912 said:
If so, why is gravity considered to be one of the four fundamental forces, just like othere were bodies actually interact with each other?
It's semantics. In General Relativity gravity is not a classical force. But the effect of attraction can still be interpreted locally as an inertial force, in frames that are not falling.

But I agree that it's better to talk about "fundamental interactions" to make it more general.
 

Related to Gravity as a fundamental force?

1. What is gravity?

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that causes objects with mass to attract each other. It is responsible for keeping planets in orbit around the sun and for keeping us grounded on Earth.

2. How does gravity work?

Gravity works by creating a force between two objects with mass. The strength of this force is determined by the masses of the objects and the distance between them. The greater the mass and the closer the objects are, the stronger the force of gravity.

3. Is gravity the same everywhere in the universe?

Yes, gravity is a universal force and it acts the same everywhere in the universe. However, the strength of gravity can vary depending on the mass and distance of the objects involved.

4. How does gravity interact with other fundamental forces?

Gravity is the weakest of the four fundamental forces, and it primarily interacts with the other forces through the curvature of space and time. It also plays a role in the formation and behavior of celestial objects, such as stars and galaxies.

5. Can we manipulate or control gravity?

As of now, we do not have the technology to manipulate or control gravity. However, scientists are constantly researching and experimenting with ways to harness and utilize the force of gravity for practical purposes.

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