[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

If it were possible to instantaneously materialise 2 objects in space close enough that they were gravitationally attracted to each other, they would move together. Where is the "equal & opposite reaction"?

I know it must be there somewhere - but where?

[LeeE]

They move in opposite directions.

[Andrew K Fletcher]

Take a group of atoms joining together to form a larger object large enough to generate its own gravity. Where does the opposite reaction / repelling force go?

Good on yer Doc

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

They move in opposite directions.

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

Take a group of atoms joining together to form a larger object large enough to generate its own gravity. Where does the opposite reaction / repelling force go?

Good on yer Doc

erm...

[Andrew K Fletcher]

And the opposite direction to an attracting force is?

[Alan McDougall]

Large objects must move together , if this were not the case the earth would never have formed as it did.

Tiny quantum particles might move apart, they are not constrained by Newtons law.

[lightarrow]

Large objects must move together , if this were not the case the earth would never have formed as it did.

Tiny quantum particles might move apart, they are not constrained by Newtons law.

What do you mean?

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

And the opposite direction to an attracting force is?

That would be repulsive, then.

[Alan McDougall]

Large objects must move together , if this were not the case the earth would never have formed as it did.

Tiny quantum particles might move apart, they are not constrained by Newtons law.

What do you mean?

You perhaps noticed I said "MIGHT" anything might happen at that micro level

The early universe and antigravity are still theorised. There must have been a repulsive force in the early universe or it would not exist, .The universe would have come on like an incandescence light and immediately vanished.

Something pushed against the huge gravity of the singularity. Exactly what is still not known. Perhaps our universe is a white hole of a hugeblack hole from somewhere else or we might be living within the confines of a huge black hole we call the universe.

Debating the repulsive force of quarks etc would mean going into the extreme complexities of quantum mechanics ad fundamental physics and theory.

[Flyberius]

I thought that gravity was basically making matter trying to move in a straight line in curved space.  If so wouldnt this have nothing to do with newton.  ie newtons law does not apply because no planet would actually be pulling the other.  Infact anyone on the planet would be oblivious to the acceleration.  They would appear and immediately begin drifting towards each other.  Please correct me if I am wrong on the above.

Just makes you realize how wierd gravity really is.

Oh and could you imagine if it was an earthlike planet.  Two spinning planets getting closer and closer.  The weather systems would be immense.  I wonder if at any point the gravity between two such objects could cause the sea to rise over mainland in some sort of Uber tidal flood.

[Alan McDougall]

Hello Flyeberius and welcome. I am also new to this forum and grounding myself so to speak.

The weather systems would be immense.  I wonder if at any point the gravity between two such objects could cause the sea to rise over mainland in some sort of Uber tidal flood

Absolutely the moon when it was much much nearer the earth did or could of produced huge tidal waves of 10 000+ feet racing across the infant continents.

Big planets like earth and Venus coming too close would rip each other apart due to the enormous tidal forces betwen them.

Of course your terrible weather scenario would also be true even it they were still millions of miles apart.

Regards

Alan