[geordief (OP)]

I am fairly sure,based on what I have heard that the answer is that we do not yet know the answer to this.

However ,are there any serious ideas as to what the actual mechanism might be ?

I imagine it might be somehow based on  fields  since that seems to be the predominant area of theory concerning very small object's,which may be the level where spacetime curvature occurs.

But I have extremely little insight into this area.

Are there any theories or hypotheses that could make some sort of sense to a layman?

[set fair]

I think it does it by reducing uncertainty but this is not the serious science answer you are asking for. Nevertheless I have not been able to shake the idea from my head that I might be right.

[geordief (OP)]

I think it does it by reducing uncertainty but this is not the serious science answer you are asking for. Nevertheless I have not been able to shake the idea from my head that I might be right.

Why do you think reducing uncertainty and curving spacetime could be connected?

[Zer0]

@geordief
Hi!
🙂

Amusing OP!

I was pondering over the other side of the same question...

If mass bends the space around..
Then when planets, say Jupiter must be bending quite some space around.. isn't it?

But then, once Jupiter moves along it's way ahead...does that curved space Uncurve all by itself?
🤔

I find the logic hard to grasp...there is Something, which is Nothing..but still it Curves & Bends & even Uncurves & Unbends?
Pretty Puzzling Right!
🥴

Anyways, I haven't seen @Bill S  or @jeffreyH around lately.
Any Clue, are the doing Good & keeping Well?
🤞

[geordief (OP)]

find the logic hard to grasp...there is Something, which is Nothing..but still it Curves & Bends & even Uncurves & Unbends?
Pretty Puzzling Right!

Not sure if logic is involved.

If you were to wonder (forgetting completely about gravity or curved spacetime and putting yourself back in mediaeval times) why the space between objects was "straight" ...ie Why the shortest distance between objects was  apparently a straight line ,you might well say ,"that is just how it is,no reason for it"

So ,with an environment of massive objects it turns out that the shortest distance is  apparently curved when viewed ,necessarily  from a distance

Why? Who knows ,it just is.

Just my gut feeling.

Also ,don't forget that spacetime curvature  is just a model that can and likely/hopefully  will be improved on or tweaked  in the future.

[Zer0]

" Why? Who knows ,it just is. "
In Agreement of your views.
👍

" Just my gut feeling. "
Statistics says, Gut feeling are Correct most of the times.
👍

" Also ,don't forget that spacetime curvature  is just a model that can and likely/hopefully  will be improved on or tweaked  in the future. "

Space Time Curvature is Just a Model...the Keyword here as you very nicely stated is MODEL.
Just as we have an Atomic Model of an Atom...but again it's just a Model of how it might be...but it's not a factual Theoretical or Realistic Model.
👍
Agreed!

P.S. - Hoping someone else peeks into the OP & could provide a few scholarly insights.
🤞

[charles1948]

Does it boil down to this:

Newton said that two bits of matter exert a mutual  force on each other. Which attracts them, until they come together

Einstein said that two bits of matter exert a force on space, which makes the space between them curve.  Then the two bits of matter slide along the curve, until they come together.

Aristotle said that two bits of matter come together, because all matter has a natural tendency to come together.

What's wrong with Aristotle's simple explanation?

[Kryptid]

What's wrong with Aristotle's simple explanation?

Nothing in itself. It's just not particular descriptive of why matter is attracted to other matter.

[charles1948]

What's wrong with Aristotle's simple explanation?

Nothing in itself. It's just not particular descriptive of why matter is attracted to other matter.

That's the point.  Why do magnets rush towards each other until they cling together? We say it's due to "magnetism".

If Aristotle explained it by saying it was the natural tendency of matter to come together ,due to "matterism", how would you refute the claim

[Kryptid]

If Aristotle explained it by saying it was the natural tendency of matter to come together ,due to "matterism", how would you refute the claim

I wouldn't. You can give it any name you want to. That doesn't change its fundamental nature.

[charles1948]

Is that very convincing?  Magnets come together, because of "Magnetism"  I mean, really!

[Kryptid]

Is that very convincing?  Magnets come together, because of "Magnetism"  I mean, really!

Magnetism is just the label we give to the phenomenon. You can call it whatever you want to.

[charles1948]

Is that very convincing?  Magnets come together, because of "Magnetism"  I mean, really!

Magnetism is just the label we give to the phenomenon. You can call it whatever you want to.

I was tempted to call gravity "Fallism" as if that explained it, but does it really?, Suppose someone said that the expansion of the Universe is powered by "Dark Energy", and steam engines are powered by "Dark Water".   And radio sets are activated by "Dark Sound", and televisions by "Dark Light".

Is that a satisfactory explanation?

[Kryptid]

Labels aren't an explanation for anything.

[Zer0]

Hi All!
😊
🙏

If the Sun suddenly disappeared...it would still take around 7 to 8 minutes for the Earth to be spun out of it's Orbit.

So...whatever it is between the Sun & Earth is not a hard glass rod or steel rod...orelse the moment Sun goes, the Earth would spin out.

It isn't even a plastic or rubberband of sorts, coz still the Earth would spin off rather quickly.

It does seem like a dominoes chain reaction that moves at the speed of light.


P.S. - Dominoes makes sense, Right?
🤔

[Halc]

If the Sun suddenly disappeared...it would still take around 7 to 8 minutes for the Earth to be spun out of it's Orbit.

It is not physically possible for the sun to suddenly disappear, so pondering the result of the impossible premise is meaningless. At best, the sun can be met with some calamity like exploding or being hit with a large fast fly-swatter that moves it away, but not faster than light.

[Zer0]

🙄

umm..ummm....

☹️

hggdddjoon...jugfssfbh...jjgffdss...

😔

Please Do Not move this OP to the
" New Theories " section.
🙏

I heed ur advice..n bow down in front of U..in all humbleness & vulnerability.
🥺
(& i take back my alice in wonderland analogy n won't post such crap again)

P.S. - imma gonna tell on U...
2 C H R I S...
BullY!
😑