Gravity

[Chiropteran]

How do I make this a poll?

Ah okay, I figured it out.

 

[labrat25]

gravity is a theory... it works 99% of the time, but that exception (for very small scale interactions) makes it a theory

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

heavy subject

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: labrat25
gravity is a theory... it works 99% of the time, but that exception (for very small scale interactions) makes it a theory

when does gravity not work?

 

[Bootprint]

Isn't it a law with with a theory on the exact rules behind it.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: labrat25
gravity is a theory... it works 99% of the time, but that exception (for very small scale interactions) makes it a theory

We should review the scientific definitions of "law" and "theory" then.
Take a look at this
A scientific law doesn't get "demoted" to a theory when an exception surfaces.

 

[Torghn]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Isn't it a law with with a theory on the exact rules behind it.

Yeah, I'd say it's a law, we know exactly how it works. The question or theory is why does it work the way it does.

 

[dighn]

it's a law made through observation, though there are theories behind it

 

[Kyteland]

Google

"law of gravitation" - 24,800 hits
"theory of gravitation" - 22,000 hits

 

[chrisms]

I saw it is a law

 

[Descartes]

It is similar to evolution in that it's both theory AND fact. Newton derived a law that established unequivocally its quantitative footing; however, it wasn't until Einstein actually determined the mechanism of gravity: ripples in the fabric of spacetime.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Law: A description of something that happens.
Theory: An explanation of WHY something happens.

 

[sash1]

it's a theory. While it was called the "Law of universal gravitation" for Newton, that was shown to have flaws, and Einstein then came up with his theory of general relativity.

I am quite sure it is still considered a theory

`K

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Torghn

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Isn't it a law with with a theory on the exact rules behind it.

Yeah, I'd say it's a law, we know exactly how it works. The question or theory is why does it work the way it does.

Actually, we don't know exactly how it works.

 

[labrat25]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: labrat25
gravity is a theory... it works 99% of the time, but that exception (for very small scale interactions) makes it a theory

We should review the scientific definitions of "law" and "theory" then.
Take a look at this
A scientific law doesn't get "demoted" to a theory when an exception surfaces.

"Within most fields of study, and in science in particular, the elevation of some principle of that field to the status of "law" usually takes place after a very long time during which the principle is used and tested and verified" -from your source

ex. exceptions to gravity (ie. when the verification has failed) the gravitation between very small particles, like atomic or sub-atomic particles

the law of gravitation (Newton) is less of a law than the theory of gravitation (Einstein)

 

[Corporate Thug]

law

 

[Atomicus]

Test it out. Put a fat guy and a thin guy next to a plate of french fries. Where does the food go? GRAVITY!

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: labrat25

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: labrat25
gravity is a theory... it works 99% of the time, but that exception (for very small scale interactions) makes it a theory

We should review the scientific definitions of "law" and "theory" then.
Take a look at this
A scientific law doesn't get "demoted" to a theory when an exception surfaces.

"Within most fields of study, and in science in particular, the elevation of some principle of that field to the status of "law" usually takes place after a very long time during which the principle is used and tested and verified" -from your source

ex. exceptions to gravity (ie. when the verification has failed) the gravitation between very small particles, like atomic or sub-atomic particles

the law of gravitation (Newton) is less of a law than the theory of gravitation (Einstein)

The conflict between gravity and quantum mechanics isn't where gravity "failed"; rather, it's just what general relativity failed to describe. There are current efforts to solve this "conflict" with string theory, quantum loop gravity, etc.

Again, the Einstein's general relativity theorizes the mechanism of gravity. Newton felt the influence was instantaneous, and Einstein's special relativity was in conflict with such an idea as no information can travel greater than the speed of light. Einstein derived general relativity ONLY because it was in conflict with HIS theory, not because Newton's gravity was incorrect.

 

[Triumph]

Gravity isn't fully understood, which is why I chose theory. We don't know exactly why light rays bend when passing by an interstellar body. We know that it's due to gravity, but photons are massless, so it doesn't fit the traditional Fg = Gm1m2/r^2 equation or the relativistic equivalent equation. We know it happens due to gravity, but we don't know why it happens. There are also some things having to do with black holes and gravity that we don't understand; I have to look up my notes when i get home.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Gravity isn't fully understood, which is why I chose theory. We don't know exactly why light rays bend when passing by an interstellar body. We know that it's due to gravity, but photons are massless, so it doesn't fit the traditional Fg = Gm1m2/r^2 equation or the relativistic equivalent equation. We know it happens due to gravity, but we don't know why it happens. There are also some things having to do with black holes and gravity that we don't understand; I have to look up my notes when i get home.

GR describes quite perfectly why it does so. GR has been substantiated so many times that most people generally accept it as a plausible description of why. There exists no better description than GR, but if you have one....

 

[silverpig]

We have the law of gravity saying that it happens, and the theory of general relativity that explains how/why it happens.

 

[DrPizza]

There are 4 forces in nature.
Of those 4: gravity, strong, weak, and electomagnetic,
gravity is the LEAST understood.

(and the weakest of the 4 forces)

 

[SilentZero]

Law

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
There are 4 forces in nature.
Of those 4: gravity, strong, weak, and electomagnetic,
gravity is the LEAST understood.

(and the weakest of the 4 forces)

Weakest, but greatest distance of travel

 

[maziwanka]

it is the LAW