Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 24: Problem 27

What is gravitational lensing? Why don't we notice the gravitational lensing of light by ordinary objects on Earth?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Gravitational lensing is an effect based on Einstein's theory of general relativity where light from a distant celestial object is bent or distorted when passing by a massive object, causing apparent magnification or distortion. The reason we do not observe this effect with ordinary objects on Earth is because they do not possess sufficient mass to create a gravitational field intense enough to noticeably alter the path of light.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Gravitational Lensing

Gravitational lensing is an effect of the theory of general relativity. It is the bending and distortion of light by gravity. When light from a distant celestial object, like a star or a galaxy, passes by a massive object on its way to the observer, the gravity of the intervening massive object can bend or distort the path of light, resulting in the phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. This can cause the celestial object to appear magnified or distorted from the observer’s point of view.
02

Reason we don't observe it on Earth

The reason we do not notice the gravitational lensing effect of light by ordinary objects on Earth is due to the fact that the intensity of gravitational field to cause a perceivable lensing effect is tremendously high. Ordinary objects on Earth do not produce a gravitational field intense enough to significantly bend the path of light. This is also due to the inverse square law governing gravitational forces, the strength of the gravitational lensing effect reduces greatly with distance. It takes a massive object like a star, galaxy or a black hole or anything of equivalent mass to produce a noticeable lensing effect.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

How did Edwin Hubble prove that the Andromeda "Nebula" is not a nebula within our Milky Way Galaxy?

. Imagine your company, Astronomical Artistry, has been contracted by the local marching band to create a football halftime show about spiral galaxies. How exactly would you design the positions of the band members on the field to represent the different spiral galaxies of classes \(\mathrm{Sa}, \mathrm{Sb}\), and \(\mathrm{Sc}\) ? Create two columns on your paper by drawing a line from top to bottom, drawing sketches in the left-hand column and writing a description of each sketch in the right-hand column. Also include what the band's opening formation and final formation should be.

Why are Cepheid variable stars useful for finding the distances to galaxies? Are there any limitations on their use for this purpose?

. What evidence is there for the existence of dark matter in clusters of galaxies?

Describe what voids are and what they tell us about the largescale structure of the universe.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Engineering Physics

Read Explanation

Circular Motion and Gravitation

Read Explanation

Classical Mechanics

Read Explanation

Scientific Method Physics

Read Explanation

Force

Read Explanation

Fundamentals of Physics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free