3 ms·

how is this different from aether https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_theories https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_theories

by ptah 7y ago

juped 7y ago
Using "aether" as a generalized snarl word is really irksome. None of us were alive for the debates in physics of a century ago. General relativity is an aether theory; i.e., it ascribes properties (the metric tensor) to empty space. Appeal to authority below since that's the level we're playing on when we misuse dated terminology like this. "We may say that according to the general theory of relativity space is endowed with physical qualities; in this sense, therefore, there exists an ether. According to the general theory of relativity space without ether is unthinkable; for in such space there not only would be no propagation of light, but also no possibility of existence for standards of space and time (measuring-rods and clocks), nor therefore any space-time intervals in the physical sense." -- Albert Einstein
- ptah 7y ago
  sorry, i was just curious. i didn't know people felt that strongly about it
- taylodl 7y ago
  Don't confuse the model with reality. The interesting thing about GR and its stress-energy tensor is you can't distinguish the model from the reality. The model says space is curved and it's this curvature which we perceive as gravity. Does that mean space is actually curved? No. But we have no way to tell. It's a fascinating concept when you think about it. Quantum gravity may give us a way out but so far we've achieved little progress, mainly due to the very same stress-energy tensor being a different type than those found in other quantum fields. Viktor Roth provides a simple explanation of the problem: https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/05/17/the-marriage-of-einsteins-theory-of-relativity-and-quantum-physics-depends-on-the-pull-of-gravity/#65399968e3a6 https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/05/17/the-marriage-o.... If you're into physics Viktor is a fun guy to follow on Quora.
msla 7y ago
When most people talk about "aether" they seem to mean the "luminiferous aether" which propagated light waves like water propagates water waves. The problem with that theory was demonstrated by the Michelson-Morley experiment: The speed of light does not change regardless of how you move relative to the light source. Light can't be a wave like water waves are. The luminiferous aether is therefore disproven. Applying the term "aether" to other theories is uncommon, especially among non-physicists.

how is this different from aether https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_theories https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_theories

by ptah 7y ago

how is this different from aether https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_theories https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aether_theories

juped 7y ago

Using "aether" as a generalized snarl word is really irksome. None of us were alive for the debates in physics of a century ago. General relativity is an aether theory; i.e., it ascribes properties (the metric tensor) to empty space. Appeal to authority below since that's the level we're playing on when we misuse dated terminology like this. "We may say that according to the general theory of relativity space is endowed with physical qualities; in this sense, therefore, there exists an ether. According to the general theory of relativity space without ether is unthinkable; for in such space there not only would be no propagation of light, but also no possibility of existence for standards of space and time (measuring-rods and clocks), nor therefore any space-time intervals in the physical sense." -- Albert Einstein

ptah 7y ago
sorry, i was just curious. i didn't know people felt that strongly about it
taylodl 7y ago
Don't confuse the model with reality. The interesting thing about GR and its stress-energy tensor is you can't distinguish the model from the reality. The model says space is curved and it's this curvature which we perceive as gravity. Does that mean space is actually curved? No. But we have no way to tell. It's a fascinating concept when you think about it. Quantum gravity may give us a way out but so far we've achieved little progress, mainly due to the very same stress-energy tensor being a different type than those found in other quantum fields. Viktor Roth provides a simple explanation of the problem: https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/05/17/the-marriage-of-einsteins-theory-of-relativity-and-quantum-physics-depends-on-the-pull-of-gravity/#65399968e3a6 https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/05/17/the-marriage-o.... If you're into physics Viktor is a fun guy to follow on Quora.

msla 7y ago

When most people talk about "aether" they seem to mean the "luminiferous aether" which propagated light waves like water propagates water waves. The problem with that theory was demonstrated by the Michelson-Morley experiment: The speed of light does not change regardless of how you move relative to the light source. Light can't be a wave like water waves are. The luminiferous aether is therefore disproven. Applying the term "aether" to other theories is uncommon, especially among non-physicists.