Gravity Chapter
7: Gravity
Gravitational attraction results in an accretion or an accumulation
of matter. For example, if we placed two bricks motionless in space
one kilometre apart then immediately they will start to move towards
one another and eventually will collide, and ultimately sit in contact
with one another.
If we placed the same brick in space thousands of kilometres
from earth it will start to move towards the earth and
will possibly collide with it.
The greater the total mass of the body the greater is its
gravitational attractive force, and thus its tendency to
attract and absorb smaller particles of matter is enhanced.
Thus larger bodies attract small ones and vice versa, and
in the creation of the solar system, between (it is suggested)
4 and 5 billion years ago, this was how the sun and the
planets grew in size by the accretion of gases, liquids
and solids from the suggested supernova cloud of matter that was
formed prior to this time.
It follows that an increase in mass results in a proportional
increase in the gravitational attraction, and the matter
that it consists of and is surrounded by, is then subjected
to a proportional and concurrent increase in pressure.
The larger the mass of the body the larger the pressures
generated in it, and in the gases and the matter surrounding it.
Gravity and Pressure
It is an observed fact that any increase in pressure applied
to matter in any state results in that matter emitting
energy, and the reverse is also true. This is a law of
nature. For example, as discussed earlier, a gas when isolated and
compressed, rises in temperature, or another words is forced into a
state of non-equilibrium with surrounding matter, the resultant excess
energy produced is emitted into the surrounding matter, the gas will
then indicate an equal temperature to that of the surrounding matter
and if held under compression it will remain in the state of energy
imbalance with a lower energy level.
The same applies to solid matter, for example when iron
is subjected to a momentary increase in pressure in a large
machine hammer the result is a similarly momentary increase
in temperature.
The emission of energy from matter due to an increase in
pressure is proportional, in other words the greater the
pressure the greater the emission of energy.
It has been demonstrated by the example of the hydrogen
bomb that matter when it is put under a certain, high level
of pressure emits ‘nuclear’ energy, or in other words atoms
of a certain mass are forced by very high pressures into fusing into
an atom of a higher mass, and (in this case) nuclear fusion of hydrogen
into helium occurs and the resultant excess matter is converted into
energy.
This, it is suggested, is what is happening continuously
in the sun to generate the energy emission that we observe.
This of course is a result of its accumulation of sufficient
mass to generate the necessary pressures.
Therefore the emission of radiant energy from the sun is
due to pressure, and this pressure is a direct result of
the gravitational attraction of its mass of matter.
Thus it can be stated that a star is born when it has acquired
sufficient matter, and accordingly sufficient mass, to
provide enough pressure to produce an ongoing nuclear fusion
and accordingly emit high levels of radiant energy.
This energy emitted by such bodies is ultimately absorbed
by other matter, and it can be said therefore that the
universe consists of matter under varying levels of compression
and decompression and that this matter is undergoing a continuous
process of emission or absorption of energy.
Pressure and Singularity
It has been recently suggested that at the centre of our
galaxy, the Milky Way, there exists a black hole and
that such bodies exist at the centres of other galaxies.
Black holes in other galaxies have also been observed and
speculated upon and it is suggested that these bodies are
so massive and that the gravitational forces generated
by them are so strong that even radiant energy, such as light, cannot
escape.
If we accept these theories, the point of greatest density,
and therefore of compressive forces, in any galaxy will
be at the centre of its central black hole, where matter
will be compressed towards the point of ‘singularity’.
Singularity is the theoretical state where matter is compressed
into non-existence, i.e. into zero volume, or where ‘something’
is compressed into ‘nothing’.
If the hypothetical state of singularity is possible then
this state would be achieved by gravitational pressure,
in other words the combined forces exerted by an unspecified
mass of matter of forcing some of the matter of which it is composed,
into non-existence.
Philosophically however it is difficult to accept the contention
that, in any circumstances, matter can combine to destroy
matter. In other words it is irrational to suggest that
a volume of matter can itself generate sufficient gravitational force
to compress itself into nothing.
Decompression of Matter
The opposite extreme to the compression of
matter into non-existence is the decompression of matter
into non-existence.
In other words a quantity of matter is expanded to the
point where it ceases to exist and an empty space or pure
vacuum is created.
If the centre of a galaxy has the highest density, where
in an intergalactic perspective, is the local point that
has the lowest density?
If we, for the sake of argument, assume that there are
six galaxies of equal mass at equal distances from a central
point, P, as depicted below, then it is this point where
the combined gravitational forces of the total masses
of these galaxies will be pulling the matter here in all directions.
Figure 41
This point could also be described as the point of relative (or local)
gravitational neutrality.
Thus this point would be the local point of maximum decompression,
or the point of lowest pressure, and consequently the lowest
density. This would be the nearest, opposing state to that at the
centre of these galaxies, i.e. the decompression, due to the combined
gravitational forces of matter itself, of matter towards the point
of non-existence or in other words towards the state of a perfect
vacuum.
Gravity and Field Theory
As indicated earlier the concept of a vacuum
that permeates all matter in any state is written into
scientific consciousness and is generally accepted as if it were proven,
while there is no evidence whatever of its existence.
Further any discussion or definition of this, by far the
largest volume component of matter in any state, is avoided
in any description of the structure of matter at atomic level.
Also as discussed, this concept effectively prohibits the
construction of any theory that can describe the transmission
of the force of gravitation, and indeed of the transmission
of any force or energy through this vacuum between two bodies.
Field theory clearly removes any such constraint as it
contends that there is no such vacuum and that all atoms
are in close contact with adjacent atoms in any state.
If such a continuity of matter is assumed then gravitational
forces can be examined in this light.
Two massive iron spheres suspended against the earth’s
gravity are seen to deviate measurably towards the other
in opposition to the earth’s attraction. The only way this
force can be transmitted is by and through the intermediary matter
and in this case the force is transmitted through the intervening
atmospheric gases.
If the hypothetical situation of two rods of iron that
are in close proximity with their ends facing each other
is considered, as in the diagram below, where the distance
between them is sufficient for a single atom of gas, the effects
upon this single atom as depicted can be examined.
Figure 42
As all atoms are attracted to all other adjacent atoms,
this atom is attracted to all the atoms of the rod ends. It is therefore
subjected to a relatively powerful attractive force generated by
the combined attractive forces of the more massive atoms of the metal
in both opposing faces, in this particular representation number
of metal atoms is about 110 on each face giving a ratio of 220:1,
(while the mass ratio, e.g. iron : nitrogen, would be considerably
higher at, say, 880:1). The gas atom is therefore under extreme stress
and is being pulled in both directions.
If the metal atoms of each face are all trying to attract
a single, intervening gas atom then it is clear that the
gas atom is transmitting an attractive force between the two rods.
If one rod is now removed the effect upon this single atom
can be examined as per the diagrams below, and at this
point we need to consider the repulsive forces of the force
field as well.
In Figure A the repulsive forces are depicted as being
equal in all directions, but the strong attractive forces
of the atoms of the rod end will force the gas atom’s nucleus
into a closer proximity as in Figure B.
In the proximity of the nucleus both the attractive and
the repulsive forces increase proportionately and, as the
force field will resist a reduction in volume without emitting
energy, these forces will tend to distort the outer force
field in the manner shown.
If another atom is placed alongside the first as shown
in Figure C then clearly the (relatively weaker) attraction
of the nucleus of this atom to the first and to the rod
end, will tend to distort both its and the second atom’s
force field as shown, and further distort the field of
the first in the directions X and Y.
The addition of more atoms in line will have a similar
and progressively diminishing effect on all the atoms concerned.
Figure 43
If the second rod is replaced and the gap is widened to allow seven
atoms of gas to intercede the configuration will be as in Fig 1 below.
The result is that the outer force fields of all the intermediary atoms
are distorted to varying degrees by the variations in the forces experienced
by the two rods pulling each one in two directions, the central atom
A will experience an equal attraction from both rod ends.
This, following the adage that a force cannot be applied
in one direction without exerting an equal and opposite
force in the opposite direction, means that this atom is itself exerting
an attractive force on both rod ends, which of course will also apply
to all the other intervening atoms.
Figure 44
The nucleus of this central atom, A in the figure below, is experiencing
an equal attraction from atoms B and C, and the net effect of the greater
gravitational attraction of both rod ends on the nuclei of these two
atoms is to pull them, the nuclei, away from atom A. This translates
into forces acting on the outer periphery of atom A’s energy field
at the intersection between it and atoms B and C, which is in effect
pulling the outer perimeter of the field away from atom A’s nucleus
in the direction of B and C, as indicated by the dashed arrows, and
accordingly tending to elongate the field in these directions.
Figure 45
This introduction of other adjacent atoms into this arrangement
introduces another factor as indicated in the diagram below.
Figure 46
Note: As before mentioned these diagrams are not to any scale and
the distortion shown not necessarily proportionate.
The combined attractive forces of both rods acting on the nuclei of
atoms X and Y adjacent to atom A, indicated by the dashed arrows, introduce
an additional force of pressure acting in the overall direction shown
by the lighter shaded arrows.
This force results in an increase in the repulsive forces
acting on atom A from this direction and, together with
the gravitational forces described above, adds to the tendency to
elongate this atom laterally. This atom is therefore in a state of
disequilibrium with adjacent atoms, ultimately due to the gravitational
forces of attraction of the rod ends, and will be attempting to regain
equilibrium.
The effect of this is to produce pressure differentials
as outlined below, where the ‘external’ atoms surrounding
those in a direct line between both faces of the rods are
represented by the shaded atoms. The distortion of the
force fields of the central atoms leads to the formation of pressure
gradients as indicated by the dashed lines.
Figure 47
Extending this concept again with two larger massive bodies in the
figure below it is clear that their combined attractive forces acting
on atom D are less than those on atoms B and C, which forces are less
than those acting on atom A. While the massive bodies remain in this
position, all the gas atoms in this area will be maintained in a state
of non-equilibrium with the surrounding atoms outside the area of influence.
Figure 48
Also, whilst the forces acting on A tend to pull this directly
towards both faces of the massive bodies, the forces acting on C
tend to pull it at the angles as indicated, which forces combine
to produce a force acting in the direction of A at the centre, and
the same will apply to atoms further out (Atom D). It will be obvious
that the combination of all these forces will produce pressure gradients
similar to those in the diagram below.
Figure 49
Continued >
Back to Gravity Contents >
|
