We all know that Earth revolves around the Sun due to Gravitational force of the Sun. Also we know that it takes just over 8 minutes for the Sun's light to reach Earth. Now let us say, hypothetically if the sun were to suddenly extinguish (or disappear), would the Earth still not experience any effect of it until just over 8 minutes later (equivalent to time taken by light to reach from Sun to Earth) ? That is, Would the earth still continue to revolve (due to the centripetal force) for next 8 minutes after Sun disappearance and then thrown out of its revolving orbit (due to centrifugal) OR will it be immediately thrown out on the moment the Sun disappeared (i.e., not after 8 minutes) ?
Asked
Active
Viewed 191 times
1 Answers
-1
The answer to this question is not resolved yet. Well, Newton's said that the response is instantaneous, and we know enough now to state that that's wrong.
According to Einstein's General/Special relativity, the fastest speed is the speed of light, so the speed of light is the speed of whatever holds the sun and earth together.
String Theory predicts bosons called "Gravitons" that move in the speed of light, and which do the gravitation. Gravitons are not detected experimentally.
So I guess there's no answer to this question now, though the classical General Relativity (no Quantum Effects) takes it as the speed of light. So yes, with general relativity, it'll take around 8 minutes.
The Quantum Physicist
- 3,517