Jump to content

Spacetime vibration and gravitational wave


alpha2cen

Recommended Posts

Using the linearized field equations in a vacuum, we can get:

 

[math]\left ( \nabla^2-\frac{\partial^2}{\partial t^2} \right )\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}=0[/math]

 

where [math]\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}=h^{\mu \nu}-\frac{1}{2} \eta^{\mu \nu } h^\sigma_{~\sigma}[/math], and [math]g_{\mu \nu }=\eta_{\mu \nu}+h_{\mu \nu}[/math]. This is just the wave equation for [math]\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}[/math]. So we see that at first order, gravitational waves are just sinusoidal perturbations of the metric which propagate at c.

 

 

Also note that gravitational waves are generated by quadrupoles. A rotating symmetric sphere will not generate gravitational waves, for example.

Edited by elfmotat
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Using the linearized field equations in a vacuum, we can get:

 

[math]\left ( \nabla^2-\frac{\partial^2}{\partial t^2} \right )\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}=0[/math]

 

where [math]\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}=h^{\mu \nu}-\frac{1}{2} \eta^{\mu \nu } h^\sigma_{~\sigma}[/math], and [math]g_{\mu \nu }=\eta_{\mu \nu}+h_{\mu \nu}[/math]. This is just the wave equation for [math]\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}[/math]. So we see that at first order, gravitational waves are just sinusoidal perturbations of the metric which propagate at c.

 

 

Also note that gravitational waves are generated by quadrupoles. A rotating symmetric sphere will not generate gravitational waves, for example.

 

Elfmotat - am I correct in thinking that the earth - as an oblate spheroid - would if spinning perfectly on axis not generate grav waves, but that any variation wobble etc would generate waves. ie it is the change in the moving object, rather than the moving object itself

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Elfmotat - am I correct in thinking that the earth - as an oblate spheroid - would if spinning perfectly on axis not generate grav waves, but that any variation wobble etc would generate waves. ie it is the change in the moving object, rather than the moving object itself

 

That sounds about right to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gravity Probe B has confirmed that frame dragging is real. Would that generate grav waves?

 

Frame dragging is separate from gravitational radiation. A spherically symmetric rotating body will produce frame dragging effects, but will not radiate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Frame dragging is separate from gravitational radiation. A spherically symmetric rotating body will produce frame dragging effects, but will not radiate.

 

So frame dragging doesn't result in the loss of energy from the rotating system?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Using the linearized field equations in a vacuum, we can get:

 

[math]\left ( \nabla^2-\frac{\partial^2}{\partial t^2} \right )\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}=0[/math]

 

where [math]\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}=h^{\mu \nu}-\frac{1}{2} \eta^{\mu \nu } h^\sigma_{~\sigma}[/math], and [math]g_{\mu \nu }=\eta_{\mu \nu}+h_{\mu \nu}[/math]. This is just the wave equation for [math]\bar{h}^{\mu \nu}[/math]. So we see that at first order, gravitational waves are just sinusoidal perturbations of the metric which propagate at c.

 

 

Also note that gravitational waves are generated by quadrupoles. A rotating symmetric sphere will not generate gravitational waves, for example.

So a change in space will propagate as a wave but after that change as a static gravitational field, is it an analogous oscillation?

And isn't there evidence to support that rotation can "drag" space? Wouldn't that create a wave of change in the fabric of space? I think you would say "no" because of what I just explained, that after the change the inner area is just a static field, but the acceleration of a sphere such as Earth is measured to drag the fabric of space in the direction of rotation with it to a degree.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.