re -Riemann tensor not curvature tensor. - The curvature tensor is just another name for the Riemann tensor. Sometimes it's even called the Riemann curvature tensor

re - There is no such tensor so it implies no such thing. - Sure there is. The components of the tidal force tensor are a subset of the components of the curvature tensor. Your can look it up in either MTW or Ohanian.

re - Not under a short enough proper time ... - What's your point? The question was whether velocity affects tidal force - not whether or how tidal effect can be ignored. That's a separate issue. It is the difference between "does distort" and "will distort."

re - again you misunderstand local. - Nope. Don't put words into my mouth. There is a well established criteria in MTW for determining when a region of spacetime can be called locally flat. Loosely speaking - If, within a given amount of time and given a specified precision, no relative acceleration of test objects is detected then that region of spacetime is referred to as "locally flat." The questioner asked about tidal forces. You addressed local aspects, not I.

re - SO what? - What kind of question is this?

• Re: Does velocity play a factor? - Zephram_Cochrane/">Zephram Cochrane - November 16, 1999 - 08:15 UTC
• Re: Does velocity play a factor? - Zephram_Cochrane/">Zephram Cochrane - November 16, 1999 - 08:24 UTC