MadSci Network: Astronomy |
Einstein's theory of relativity is based upon the concept that the speed of light is constant for all observers. The special theory of relativity is the form in which this is most easily seen, but the warping of space-time in the general theory also emerged from the necessity of keeping the speed of light constant for all observers. Because light is how the electromagnetic force between charges is carried, and the curvature of space time was postulated in order to keep its velocity constant, light is not itself a space-time curvature and charge therefore does not bend space-time. Now, your question didn't specifically ask if charge bent space-time, only if it bent SOMETHING... This implies that you're already thinking ahead ;) I would say that it's entirely possible to construct a model where the electromagnetic force is explained by curvature of some dimension rather than by exchange of photons. No one's done it yet; most efforts are focused on going the other way around: taking gravity and explaining it with particle exchange instead of space-time curvature. If it can be done, and the same results can be obtained as with the particle exchange model we currently use, it would be a valid description of reality. Whether or not it's a more insightful description can only be said after it's done...
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