|MadSci Network: Physics|
If we consider a hypothetical situation were two masses a distance apart come in to existance. Being mass they will establish a gravitational field and there will be a gravitational attractive force between them. At what speed does the attractive force establish itself. If they are established instantaneously then this would exceed the speed of light. I can only think of three situations which would avoid this conclusion. 1) That forces establish themselves at the speed of light and would therefore be a wave of some kind. 2) That forces are carried via particles which would mean forces travel slower than light. 3) That forces act through an enigmatic medium, like sound waves travel through fluids. I can think of problems with all of these hypothesis and am sure I am far from the truth with all of them. I am asking out of curiosity, I am a first year Chemistry student and the thought struck me in a Physics lecture on electromagnetism.
Re: Do forces establish themselves faster than the speed of light?
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