Soumendra Nath Thakur ₁,₂ Deep Bhattacharjee ₃,₄
29-10-2024
Abstract:
This study investigates gravitational lensing as interpreted through general relativity (GR), which posits that massive celestial bodies induce curvature in spacetime, thereby bending light's path. In regions devoid of massive objects, spacetime remains relatively flat. However, the presence of such bodies disrupts this state, causing downward curvature. While GR suggests that gravity results from this curvature, recent observational experiments indicate that light is predominantly bent due to the curvature of the gravitational field, rather than spacetime itself. This contradiction raises significant questions about the validity of GR in explaining the interaction between light and gravity. This study aims to reconcile these discrepancies, suggesting a revised understanding of gravitational lensing and its underlying mechanisms.
Keywords: General Relativity, Gravitational Lensing, Curvature of Spacetime, Gravitational Field, Light Bending, Observational Experiments, Massive Celestial Bodies, Gravity.
₁ Tagore’s Electronic Lab., West Bengal, India
₃ Integrated Nanoscience Research (QLab), India
₄ Electro – Gravitational Space Propulsion Laboratory, India
Correspondence:
Corresponding Author₁,₂
₁ postmasterenator@gmail.com
₂ postmasterenator@telitnetwork.in
₃ deepbhattacharjee.ac@gmail.com
₄ Formerly engaged with R&D EGSPL
Declarations:
Funding:
No specific funding was received for this work.
Potential competing interests:
No potential competing interests to declare.
______________________
Introduction:
According to general relativity (GR), massive celestial bodies—such as galaxies or galaxy clusters—create curvature in the fabric of spacetime. In regions devoid of nearby massive objects, such as the vast expanses between galaxy clusters, spacetime remains flat. The introduction of a massive body causes spacetime to curve downward toward it, leading to gravitational lensing, where light's path appears bent.
GR asserts that gravity arises from this curvature of spacetime. The gravitational field can be visualized as mirroring the shape of spacetime curvature, analogous to a globe where the lower half represents spacetime curvature and the upper half symbolizes the gravitational field. However, GR claims that light bends downward along the curvature of spacetime, rather than conforming to an upward curve of the gravitational field.
Contrarily, observational experiments indicate that the bending of light occurs primarily due to the curvature of the gravitational field, challenging the GR interpretation. This study will examine these discrepancies and propose avenues for future research.
Methodology:
This study employs a multi-faceted approach to investigate the discrepancies between GR and observational findings regarding gravitational lensing, encompassing both theoretical analysis and empirical data evaluation:
Theoretical Framework
Literature Review: A thorough review of existing literature on gravitational lensing, GR, and the interaction between light and gravity will be conducted, focusing on seminal works and contemporary studies.
Mathematical Modelling: Theoretical models of gravitational lensing will be developed based on equations derived from GR, including the application of Einstein's field equations to describe how massive celestial bodies influence light's path.
Simulation of Light Paths: Computational simulations will model light trajectories around massive objects according to GR predictions, visually illustrating light bending and facilitating comparison with observational data.
Empirical Analysis
Data Collection: Observational data from astrophysical surveys documenting gravitational lensing events will be collected from sources like the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories.
Data Analysis: The collected data will be analysed to measure the degree of light bending in various gravitational lensing scenarios, employing statistical methods to assess correlations with GR predictions.
Comparison with Theoretical Predictions: The results will be compared systematically with theoretical predictions, identifying significant discrepancies between observed and predicted light bending.
Synthesis of Findings
Discrepancy Analysis: The identified discrepancies between theoretical predictions and observational findings will be critically examined to understand their implications for GR's validity.
Re-evaluation of Theoretical Models: Based on findings, a re-evaluation of theoretical models used in GR will be conducted, exploring alternative models or modifications that could provide a more accurate representation of observed phenomena.
Implications for Future Research: The study will conclude with recommendations for further observational studies and theoretical investigations to enhance understanding of the complex relationship between light, gravity, and spacetime.
Validation and Peer Review
Peer Review: The results and conclusions will be submitted for peer review to ensure the robustness of findings, integrating feedback to refine the study.
Publication: Upon successful peer review, the study will be published in a relevant scientific journal to disseminate findings and encourage ongoing exploration of gravitational lensing.
Mathematical Presentation:
A photon representing light carries inherent energy denoted as E. As the photon ascends from a gravitational well, it loses part of this energy, resulting in a redshift (Δλ>0). However, the photon's behaviour changes significantly when encountering a strong external gravitational field.
As the photon approaches a massive body, it undergoes a blueshift (Δλ<0) due to electromagnetic-gravitational interactions, causing it to follow an arc-shaped trajectory. This interaction increases the photon's momentum, described by Δρ=h/Δλ, where h is Planck's constant. Upon completing half of the arc, the blueshift transitions into a redshift (Δλ>0) as the photon begins to lose momentum. This process reflects a symmetrical momentum exchange, where the photon experiences a balanced gain and loss of external energy, preserving symmetry in its overall energy behaviour.
Importantly, while the photon undergoes these changes, its inherent energy remains conserved, except for the loss associated with its initial emission. After bypassing the gravitational field, the photon resumes its original trajectory, continuing unaffected by further gravitational influences.
Discussion:
This study delves into the intricacies of gravitational lensing through the lens of GR. The fundamental premise of GR posits that massive celestial bodies create curvature in spacetime, influencing the trajectory of nearby light. However, observational experiments suggest that light is predominantly bent due to the gravitational field's curvature, rather than the curvature of spacetime itself. This distinction raises significant questions regarding the current understanding of gravity and its relationship with light.
While GR leads to the visualization of the gravitational field as mirroring spacetime curvature, this model may not encapsulate the complexities observed in actual experiments. The discrepancy between GR's predictions and observational data necessitates a re-evaluation of gravitational lensing and the underlying mechanics of light propagation in gravitational fields. This misalignment challenges the validity of GR, signalling the potential need for alternative models or modifications that could more accurately describe the observed interactions between light and massive celestial bodies.
Moving forward, this study advocates for a comprehensive approach that bridges the gap between GR's theoretical framework and empirical observations. It emphasizes the importance of conducting further studies to clarify light's interaction with gravitational fields and ascertain whether modifications to existing models are warranted. Such investigations could lead to novel insights into the dynamics of light, gravity, and spacetime, ultimately refining our understanding of the cosmos.
Conclusion:
The principles of GR assert that massive celestial bodies create curvature in spacetime, which affects the path of light. When massive bodies are present, spacetime bends downward, leading to gravitational lensing, where light's path appears to follow this curvature.
However, observational experiments challenge this interpretation, demonstrating that light is primarily bent due to the curvature of the gravitational field, not the curvature of spacetime. This discrepancy suggests that the current understanding of light's interaction with gravity may require re-evaluation. Consequently, the validation of GR based on these experiments is called into question, indicating that the relationship between light, gravity, and spacetime may be more complex than GR predicts.
References:
[1] Relativity: the Special and General Theory by Albert Einstein. (2023, May 2). Project Gutenberg.
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30155
[2] Thakur, S. N., & Bhattacharjee, D. (2023b). Phase Shift and Infinitesimal Wave Energy Loss Equations. Preprints.Org (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1831.v1
[3] Thakur, S. N. & Tagore’s Electronic Lab. (2024). Photon Interactions with External Gravitational Fields: True Cause of Gravitational Lensing. preprints.org (MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals), 202410.2121/v1. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2121.v1
[4] Thakur, S. N. (2024). Photon Energy and Redshift Analysis in Galactic Measurements: A Refined Approach. ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385250383
[5] Direct influence of gravitational field on object motion invalidates spacetime distortion. (n.d.). https://easychair.org/publications/preprint/bGq2
[6] Thakur, S. N. (2023). Photon paths bend due to momentum exchange, not intrinsic spacetime curvature. Definitions. https://doi.org/10.32388/81iiae
[7] Thakur, S. N. (2024). Distinguishing Photon Interactions: Source Well vs. External Fields. Qeios. https://doi.org/10.32388/mhabs9
[8] Thakur, S. N., Bhattacharjee, D., & Frederick, O. (2023). Photon Interactions in Gravity and Antigravity: Conservation, Dark Energy, and Redshift Effects. Preprints.Org. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.2086.v1
[9] Thakur, S. N. (2024). Extended Classical Mechanics: Vol-1 - Equivalence Principle, Mass and Gravitational Dynamics. Preprints.org (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202409.1190.v2
[10] Thakur, S. N., Samal, P., & Bhattacharjee, D. (2023). Relativistic effects on phaseshift in frequencies invalidate time dilation II. TechRxiv. https://doi.org/10.36227/techrxiv.22492066.v2
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