TransWikia.com

Is it possible to know that an object is at a certain location without observing any of its interactions?

Physics Asked by Sagar Patil on March 21, 2021

Let’s say there is a cube in deep space. There is no light or force being applied to the cube. Is it possible to know if the cube exists in this scenario?

Sorry if the question seems too simplistic. I was just curious if scientists had non-invasive ways of knowing an object exists.

2 Answers

Bodies radiate EM waves as a function of its temperature. So, if the cube is above 0 K, its presence can theoretically be detected.

Correct answer by Claudio Saspinski on March 21, 2021

There is no light or force being applied to the cube

If the cube is in our universe, there is always the force of gravity of the nearest neighbors, within Newtonian gravity. That was the way General Relativity was established as necessary to describe the solar system. There were outer planets that did not fit the orbital solutions expected , and this made proposals for extra planets to explain the observed orbits. GR with the curvature of space made these solutions irrelevant.

The above logic is carried over in the study of the rotational curves of galaxies where dark matter is postulated to explain them, the extreme of "I was just curious if scientists had non-invasive ways of knowing an object exists.".

For you cube example, its mass is too small to affect orbits so it would be invisible even in newtonian gravity.

Answered by anna v on March 21, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP