Sorry to answer a question with a question but I will try to explain my thinking...

Do you mean the effect of gravity , In that how long it takes for a gravitational effect to reach the object its effecting?

( I believe that this is considered instantaneous as the gravitational position of the sun is exactly where we think it actually is as apposed to roughly 8 minutes away if you look at it (Don’t buy the way!) because it takes roughly 8 minutes for its light to reach us)

Or are you asking about the time it takes for the gravitational 'tension' to travel in the event that a mass instantaneously appears or disappears? EG if a mass as large as a planet suddenly materialised how long would it take for the gravitational effect to reach a nearby observer?

Its a good question as I think to follow it to its logical conclusion could lead to a simple theory regarding the relationship between gravity and inertia, well worth discussing for an interested amauter like me.

• Does gravity propagate like EM waves? - admin - September 2, 2009 - 14:30 UTC
  • teleportation - dolphin - May 8, 2010 - 08:03 UTC