BLARSON@ECLD.#ECLnet (09/08/84)
From: Bob Larson <BLARSON@ECLD.#ECLnet> The center of mass of the universe is not conserved by the conversion of mass to energy or visa-versa. The real question should be: Is the center of mass/energy of the universe conserved by know laws of physics and acceped theorys? Bob Larson <Blarson@Usc-Ecl> -------
ethan@utastro.UUCP (Ethan Vishniac) (09/10/84)
[This space is empty] Perhaps this belongs in net.physics ... but converting mass to energy (or vice-versa) does not in any way invalidate the correct generalization of the invariance of the center of mass of an isolated system. The center of *mass-energy* does just fine thank you. As to the center of mass of the universe, I'm not sure what that is, or if that concept can be given any rigorous definition. However, the argument still follows if we consider the planets, stellar systems whatever that include the beginning and endpoints of the matter transmission as an isolated system. Ethan Vishniac