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Another Approach to the Cause Another Approach to the Cause of Inertiaof Inertia

AIAA 2002-4096

38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion ConferenceIndianapolis, Indiana

July 8-10, 2002

Gregory V. Meholic

Greg.V.Meholic@aero.org

February 11, 2004Space Technologies and Applications International Forum

Albuquerque, NM

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Current Thoughts on Inertia

What do we think causes inertia?1) an inherent property of matter - “exotic” mass2) electromagnetic/quantum interactions with matter and the

Zero Point Field (ZPF)3) the gravitational forces from the chiefly distant matter in

the universe - Mach’s Principle

What is inertia?Resistance to [change in] motion (per Newton’s laws).

Why do we care where it comes from?Finding the source could lead to mitigation/reduction techniques that would profoundly change science and transportation.

To illustrate the latter, we first need a alternative model ofspacetime and gravity…

or…4) the reaction of the local SPACETIME medium to a disturbance

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Tri-Space Model of Spacetime Ok, so what is spacetime?

Spacetime is everywhere and exhibits the same qualities between galaxies as it does between atoms.

Spacetime medium made of strings, filaments and quantum foam - this is the ZPF.

It has a thickness and exhibits quasi-fluidic properties (elasticity, viscosity, densities, etc.).

Spacetime has a surface that supports EM radiation energies. Includes mass energy, particles, waves, etc. Exhibits a surface tension-like quality

Spac

e lin

es

Time lines

Gravityattracts

EM radiation and waves/particles

Spacetime surface

Spacetime medium(strings, quant. foam)

Spacetime “thickness” or ZPF (?)

Mass

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Tri-Space Model of Gravity

Then what is the relationship between mass and gravity?

2-D undisturbed spacetime with a Reference Flatness

Slope of spacetime wrt ref. flatness is the Gravity Gradient“Steeper” angle = “Stronger” gravity effect

Mass

Spacetime Medium

2) SECONDARY GRAVITY WELL* Familiar, weak, gravity field felt

by all other masses (per G)* Resultant distortion of spacetime* Observed all of the time

1) PRIMARY GRAVITY WELL* Displaces spacetime surface in

shape of body* Large gravity gradients* Only observed during acceleration

Spacetime wants to remain “flat” (supporting a flat universe). Large masses (non-subatomic), however, distort and displace

flat spacetime to create not one, but TWO gravitational effects:

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Tri-Space Model of Gravity

Having a single gravity well, as in the classical spacetime models, does not explain why inertial forces are so strong.

This is not equal to this

Classical Representation:Point mass in spacetime

Tri-Space:Two gravity effects

But the primary gravity well literally stretches the spacetime surface, resulting in subtle changes to local characteristics.

These result in steeper gravity gradients and is why the primary well is orders of magnitude stronger than the secondary well.

Although the primary well is never observed in a steady-state condition (because the mass is still in it), its effects are ONLY and ALWAYS observed during acceleration, hence…

Why are two gravity wells needed to explain inertia?

The primary gravity well is the key to INERTIA

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Spacetime Displacement Inertia

1) Force applied to a body at rest (t=0)

Secondary distortion

F

Primary well

M

v

Spacetime resistsdisplacement

F

Backwards tug from primary well

Overall gravity well broadens

Primary wellbegins to recover

v

Recovery surge for steady-state

v

According to Tri-Space then, how is inertia created?The Tri-Space model allows an easy visualization of how inertia is created as shown in a scenario for basic acceleration:

2) Body feels INERTIA (t>0)

3) Velocity increases (t>>0) 4) Constant v established (t>>>0)

Inertia is the resultant effect when an object tries to climb out of its own primary gravity well.

It is generated when spacetime resists changes in its topography.

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Are gravity and inertia related?YES!! There can be gravity without inertia,

but there can be no inertia without gravity.

What else does this model of Inertia show? The quasi-fluidic properties of spacetime yields a “local time lag”

for it to react to the change in position of a body.– Analogous to Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory, but without EM

Spacetime also applies a viscous resistance that opposes motion of a moving body.

Bodies actually weigh less when experiencing inertia.– Frame 2 shows accelerating mass makes shallow primary well– Supported by the weight fluctuation experiments of Woodward, et

al. Bodies “appear” to have more mass when experiencing inertia.

– Frame 3 shows broader gravity well giving appearance of more mass– Supported by Special Relativity

Inertia is a purely local, spacetime phenomenon and is independent of distant masses, the ZPF, other gravity sources and EM fields.

Spacetime Displacement Inertia

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Other Inertia-Related Physics What about inertia for small (atomic-scale) masses?

The smaller the mass, the shallower the primary gravity well. Atomic-scale masses do not experience inertia since they have

no primary well - they are only “floating” on the spacetime surface.

This allows them to experience tremendous accelerations without affecting the underlying spacetime medium.

What about Special Relativity? At v~c, the body creates a standing wave of spacetime in the

path ahead responsible for relativistic mass increase. Constant thrust may be required to maintain such speeds in

order to overcome spacetime fluidics.

v~c

F

“Proper” mass remains the same

Observed mass seems much larger due to huge gravity

gradient and broad gravity well

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Other Inertia-Related Physics

How do gravity waves play a role in inertia? They don’t. The Tri-space model does not support the long-term

propagation of gravity waves. Inertial “time lag” indicates that spacetime acts as a critically or

overdamped medium.– Perturbation energies are quickly absorbed into the local

medium.– Gravity does not create EM-like waves or propagating surface

effects, but can still be characterized by a field.

Strings stretch at mass/surface

interface

Strings break and recoil to form graviton “loops”

What are gravitons? Gravitons are formed from spacetime “connector” strings that

break during acceleration. They are only observable during acceleration and are quickly

absorbed back into spacetime. Only formed in the wake of a moving object.

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Mitigating or Reducing Inertia

How can inertia be overcome? Reshape the Primary Gravity Well

– Emit some form of specially-conditioned radiation field* that extends the primary well ahead of the body.

F

Original primary gravity well

Extended primary gravity well

Specially-conditioned EM field

Artificial Reduction of Mass– Increase the local surface energy density such that spacetime

redistributes its energy and thinks the mass is less.– Results in reduced displacement resistance.

* Froning, Jr., H. D., Barrett, T., and Hathaway, G., “Experiments Involving Specially Conditioned EM Radiation, Gravitation and Matter,” AIAA Paper 98-3138, 34th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Cleveland Ohio, July 13-15, 1998.

Low surface density,Steep gravity gradient,Deep primary well

High surface density,Shallow gradient,Shallow primary well

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Summary

Has quasi-fluidic properties that combine to offer a “time lag” and resistance when a body changes position in space.

Has a “surface” on which EM radiation resides.

The ideas presented here are according to the Tri-Space model of spacetime and gravity.

Mostly speculation based on current physics and scientific observations.

Need to expand concepts into mathematics for better definition. Meholic, G., “Beyond the Light Barrier: A Concept for Superluminal Travel,” AIAA

Paper 98-3410, 34th JPC

Gravitational potential from geometric distortions in spacetime can be quite strong and easy to create.

A massive body creates a primary gravity well and a secondary distortion.

Gravity can exist without inertia, but inertia can not exist without gravity. Inertia is the resultant effect when an object tries to climb out of its own

primary gravity well. Inertia is purely a local spacetime phenomenon and is independent of

distant masses, the ZPF, other gravity sources and EM fields.