Understanding the Dynamics of Gravity as Distance Decreases

Gravity has been a fundamental force in physics, described by Newton's law of universal gravitation, which states that the force between two masses M and m is given by the equation:

F GMm / r2

where G is the gravitational constant and r is the distance separating the centers of mass of M and m.

What Happens When Distance Decreases?

As the distance r between two masses decreases, the value of F increases, inversely proportional to the square of the separation distance. This relationship can be observed mathematically. For instance, if the distance r is changed to R 1/3r, then R2 will be equal to 1/9r2, and the force F at R will be 9 times the force at r.

Imagine the analogy of a bowling ball resting on a stretched rubber sheet: the ball causes a deep depression directly under it, which gets shallower the further you move away. Gravity acts similarly, extending far beyond the surface of massive objects, affecting even light.

Gravity as a Distortion of Space and Time

Gravity is not just a force; it is a distortion of space and time. This idea is encapsulated in General Relativity, where massive objects like the Earth curve the fabric of spacetime. In this context, gravity lensing occurs, allowing us to discover planets orbiting distant stars.

John's perspective adds a unique twist to the concept of gravity. He suggests that gravity is akin to a flow of quantum particles, which he terms 'quantum entergy'. This flow is denser closer to the Earth, explaining why the gravitational force is stronger there. However, as distance increases, the density of this flow decreases, leading to a lower gravitational force.

Tidal Forces and the Roche Limit

For massive objects, the concept of tidal force becomes crucial. Tidal forces can pull objects apart. For example, when the Moon approaches the Earth, parts of the Moon and Earth nearest to each other experience a stronger gravitational pull, causing the oceans to be deeper under the Moon and on the opposite side of the Earth. This difference in force creates stress, which can eventually tear objects apart. The point at which this happens is known as the Roche limit.

The Behavior of Elementary Particles

At the scale of elementary particles, the behavior of gravity is less certain. Elementary particles, being point-like entities, are not bound by gravity and thus do not have the same tidal effects. However, the mass of particles is primarily contained in their interaction fields, such as the electric field of an electron. As particles approach each other, it is unclear whether their gravitational potentials go to positive infinity or negative infinity, or if gravity itself changes at these scales.

Understanding the behavior of gravity at the smallest scales remains a challenge, but it is clear that the closer the distance, the stronger the gravitational force. This relationship, first described by Newton and later refined by Einstein, continues to be a cornerstone of our understanding of the universe.