9

Popular expositions of general relativity start with a thought experiment showing that it is impossible to distinguish a constantly accelerating frame of reference in a free fall from a free floating frame of reference.

Thought Experiment:
Person A is a small closed box, free-falling towards earth. Person B is in a small closed box floating around in space. If they both do the same experiments, they should see the same results. For example, if they have a small ball and toss it inside their box, they would both see that ball travel in a straight line (not curving) towards the wall. They would also both feel themselves floating around as if there was no gravity.

The same thought experiment could be applied to a frame undergoing a constant jerk. Does that lead to a new theory of relativity?

safesphere
  • 13,017
Mark
  • 559
  • 5
  • 13

1 Answers1

2

Gravity happens to measurably correspond to a constant acceleration, not jerk. So, no, this doesn't lead to a new theory of gravity. At least not immediately. On the other hand, strictly speaking, there is actually a slight jerk involved in free fall if an object falls long enough for the increasing gravitational field to become relevant. Whether a model for our world involving relativity of jerk could be built, is something I'd like to know myself...

MrFrety
  • 278