My question is
Does the equivalency principle still hold up when considering the following?
Note: thought experiment disregarding air resistance, friction etc...
Situation 1. two objects are in simultaneous Earth freefall @ 9.81m/s/s. The initial distance between the objects is accurately recorded, as is the terminal distance between the objects.
Situation 2. two objects are near the top of an enclosed volume, in space, static, and no gravitational influence. The initial distance between the objects is accurately recorded. A rocket motor attached to the bottom of the volume is started, and the the volume accelerates @ 9.81m/s/s. The terminal distance between the objects is accurately measured (as the floor of the volume reaches the objects).
In situation 1, the terminal distance is smaller than the initial distance as the 2 objects converge toward Earth's center of mass.
In situation 2 the terminal distance remains the same as the inital distance as the objects remain in situ while the floor accelerates to meet them.
Seemingly, this would differentiate the experience of being in a gravitational field with an experience of acceleration in a gravity-free location in space?
