[Split Thread] Earth disappears, what happens to gravity?

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Posted By:Agatha

Quote:

Originally Posted by baron (Post 12150173) That doesn't matter. The point is that the principle is correct. A gravitational force can theoretically exist in the absence of mass.

No, you haven't established that. You've established that a gravitational field can exist in the absence of both mass and the law of conservation of mass-energy. The latter, unfortunately for your assertion, is not known to be possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baron (Post 12150173) As I already said, if you blast the Earth and convert it into radiation then that gravitational field is no longer being maintained by that mass, by definition. If you dispute this, show me the equate you would use to calculate it.

E=MC². The total energy produced by converting the entire mass of the Earth to energy would have the same gravitational effect as if it remained as mass.

(We've got a bit of a problem with baryon conservation, by the way, but let's not worry about another level of impossibility right now.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by baron (Post 12150173) You can argue about how energy has not been lost, of course it hasn't, but that doesn't change the facts as relate to my analogy.

Yes, in fact it does. It negates it.

Dave

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