More
simply: Does the force of gravity effect the force of gravity?
Now
many readers will answer ‘no’ instinctively to these
questions. But there are very clear computational reasons for
asking them. As this diagram demonstrates, the gravitational
effect of the black-hole could be slightly increased for the
observer on the other side of the galaxy if gravitational waves
are curved in the same manner that light is curved by gravitational-lensing.
General
Relativity is part of the structural model in this scenario.
And yet, regardless of whether or not the gravitational waves
that originate from the black-hole are distorted by the gravity
of the galaxy, the structure of this model results in computational
contradictions. Let me explain why:
If
the gravity of the galaxy does distort the gravitational waves
from the black-hole, as depicted, then this is because according
to General Relativity, the gravity from the galaxy is synonymous
with the space around that galaxy being curved. So the gravitational
waves which pass through that curved space must of course curve
and distort with the curvature of that space! So we have to
conclude that gravitational waves actually effect each other
in this model.
Can
you see the problem with this scenario yet?
You
see; a black-hole is gravitationally so strong, that light (which
obviously moves at the velocity of light) cannot escape its
enormous gravitational effect. So gravitational waves, which
are likewise traveling at that same velocity (of light), would
also not be able to escape the curved space around the black-hole
that they themselves have generated!
In
this scenario, space is actually curved by gravity according
to General Relativity. Computationally, a black-hole would thus
in effect give off zero gravity, which is clearly a contradiction,
so this scenario fails!
It
fails because the curved space around the black-hole is too
extreme for anything traveling at the velocity of light to escape
from. The gravitational waves traveling at the velocity of light
through that curved space cannot escape the pit which they themselves
cause! But do not be too alarmed, it all eventually adds up.
