The Role and Nature of Gravitational Force in Physics

Gravity, a ubiquitous and fundamental force in our universe, has long been considered a 'full force.' However, recent interpretations and theoretical explorations challenge this conventional understanding, suggesting that gravity is more accurately described as a 'half force.' This article delves into the nature of gravitational force and whether it truly deserves to be labeled a force in the conventional sense. We will explore the role of gravity in initiating motion and its limitations in stopping or controlling motion, thereby redefining its nature.

Introduction to Gravitational Force

Gravity, as defined, is a binding force that pulls objects inward, acting radially towards the center of a mass. It plays a crucial role in initiating motion, such as the initiation of comets and asteroids by the gravitational field of more massive objects. In our solar system, planets are continually attempting to fall towards the Sun due to its gravitational pull. Key phenomena including tides, landslides, and the motion of gas in nebulae also rely on gravitational force.

Why Gravity Cannot Stop Motion

The concept that gravity can initiate but not stop motion forms the crux of our discussion. Let's examine why gravity, in its traditional definition as a pull or push force, fails to stop the motions it initiates. When we throw a ball upwards, gravity begins its work by causing the ball to decelerate. The ball will continue to move upwards until the downward acceleration due to gravity equals the initial upward velocity. At this point, the ball appears to ‘stop’ as its upward velocity becomes zero. However, this is merely an illusion of the correlation between the ball's velocity and the Earth's own upward acceleration.

Modeling Gravity as Upward Acceleration

A common model of gravity posits that the Earth is experiencing an upward acceleration equivalent to 1g. When a ball is thrown upwards with a constant velocity, it appears as if the ball has stopped due to the upward acceleration of the Earth catching up to its velocity. In reality, the ball is still moving upwards but is decelerating due to the Earth's acceleration. Once the Earth's acceleration surpasses the upward velocity of the ball, it will appear that the ball is falling back down. This illusion suggests that gravity has failed to stop the upward moving ball. Instead, it has maintained a downward acceleration that eventually surpasses the initial upward velocity, leading to a falling ball rather than a stopped one.

Gravity as an Information System

The argument further extends to posit that gravity is not a force in the traditional sense, but rather an information system that dictates the movement of objects. In this context, gravity functions by providing additional directions to the inherent motion of an object. Objects follow these directives, moving according to the information they receive, but do not initiate movement due to the intrinsic force of gravity alone. This perspective implies that under the influence of gravity, objects are 'hypnotized' into motion, making gravity akin to a form of information rather than a force.

Conclusion: Gravity as a Half Force

Given the foregoing analysis, gravity can be best described as a 'half force'—a system that initiates motion but fails to stop or effectively alter the inertial motion of objects. This redefinition from a full force to a half force, or even a more precise model such as an information system, reflects a deeper understanding of gravity's role in the universe. Understanding the true nature of gravity can contribute significantly to advancements in physics and our overall comprehension of the cosmos.

For further reading, explore the following Quora answers:

Khuram Rafique’s answer to Is gravity a force Khuram Rafique’s answer to Is Einstein's equivalence principle flawed