- #1
Loren Booda
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What natural terrestrial phenomena are significantly influenced by general relativity?
Terrestrial phenomena significantly influenced by GR?
In summary, natural terrestrial phenomena that are significantly influenced by general relativity include atomic clocks, the definition of coordinate time over the Earth's surface, and electromagnetic phenomena such as the fine structure of hydrogen atoms and the gravitational doppler shifts of electromagnetic emissions. These effects are due to both special and general relativity and can be observed through experiments and measurements.
- #2
Garth
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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When I lift my legs up I fall down?
The sky is dark at night?
Garth
The sky is dark at night?
Garth
- #3
Entropy
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- 0
Just about everything.
- #4
Loren Booda
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How about affect on electromagnetic phenomena?
- #5
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Loren Booda said:
Atomic clocks are sensitive enough that they "tick" noticably different depending on their elevation. There is a coordiinate time known as TAI time that is defined by averages the contributions of many different atomic clocks - it is necessary to correct for the altitude of each contributor.
Also, the issue of defining a coordinate time over the Earth's surface involves considerations of General Relativity since the Earth rotates. If you transport a clock around the rotating Earth, it won't read the same as a clock that stayed behind, no matter how slowly. This was actually done in a famous experiment.
- #6
Creator
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Loren Booda said:
Well,sure. All the hydogen atoms in my brain have a multiplet 'fine structure' (spin-orbit interaction) at every level except l = 0 which is due to relativistic effects. In fact, all of the heavy atoms have an even greater energetic split which is even more noticeable, and at an energy level which can only be determined precisely with full (mental) relativistic treatment.
Maybe that's why they say I have a split personality. Well, at least they can't say I'm degenerate.
However, these are only SR effects.
For GR effects you'll have to capture & measure the electromagnetic emissions (from my nuclear cranial radioactive decay) at several different terrestrial gravitational potentials and notice the resultant gravitational doppler shifts.
(Please don't reveal your findings. )
Creator
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Related to Terrestrial phenomena significantly influenced by GR?
1. What is GR and how does it influence terrestrial phenomena?
GR stands for General Relativity, which is a theory of gravity proposed by Albert Einstein. It explains how massive objects in space influence the curvature of space and time. This, in turn, affects the motion of objects, including those on Earth. GR plays a significant role in understanding and predicting many terrestrial phenomena, including the motion of planets, the tides, and the behavior of light and matter.
2. How does GR impact our understanding of the Earth's rotation and orbit?
GR has revolutionized our understanding of the Earth's rotation and orbit. It explains how the Earth's mass and rotation cause a curvature in space-time, which affects how the Earth moves through space. GR also predicts that the Earth's orbit is not a perfect circle but an ellipse, which explains the changing distance between the Earth and the Sun throughout the year.
3. Can GR explain the phenomenon of time dilation on Earth?
Yes, GR can explain time dilation on Earth. According to this theory, the closer an object is to a massive body, the slower time moves for that object. This means that time moves slightly slower for objects on the surface of the Earth than for objects in space. This has been proven by experiments using atomic clocks, which have shown that clocks at higher altitudes run slightly faster than those at lower altitudes due to the effects of gravity.
4. How does GR influence the behavior of light on Earth?
GR predicts that light will experience gravitational lensing, which means that it will bend around massive objects due to the curvature of space-time. This has been confirmed by observations of light from distant stars being bent by the Sun's gravity. Additionally, the slowing of time near massive objects can also affect the behavior of light, leading to phenomena such as redshift and gravitational time dilation.
5. What are some practical applications of GR in understanding terrestrial phenomena?
The applications of GR in understanding terrestrial phenomena are numerous. For example, this theory is crucial in accurately predicting the motion of satellites and spacecraft, which is essential for telecommunications and navigation. It also helps us understand the behavior of objects in extreme environments, such as black holes, which have a strong gravitational pull. Additionally, GR has practical applications in fields such as geology, where it can help explain the formation of mountains and the movement of tectonic plates.
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