gravitational wave
noun
: a disturbance in space-time in the form of a wave that propagates the gravitational field
Gravitational waves are a natural offshoot of the rubber-sheet construction of general relativity. Just as a massive object sitting on the fabric of spacetime creates a dimple, so moving or changing objects, under certain conditions, create wrinkles in the fabric. Those wrinkles, tiny distortions in spacetime, zoom away at the speed of light. Because these gravitational waves carry energy, anything emitting them will lose a tiny bit of its speed.—
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The merger of black holes is intrinsically linked to the emission of gravitational waves.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025
This in turn would make for less energetic gravitational waves, Alonso-Álvarez said.
—Jonathan O’Callaghan, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2024
As these binary systems emit gravitational waves, those ripples in spacetime carry away angular momentum.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025
As technology advances, however, ideas that were once relegated to the world of theory, such as gravitational waves and the Higgs boson, can come within reach of actual observation.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 20 May 2022
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025
This in turn would make for less energetic gravitational waves, Alonso-Álvarez said.
—Jonathan O’Callaghan, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2024
As these binary systems emit gravitational waves, those ripples in spacetime carry away angular momentum.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025
As technology advances, however, ideas that were once relegated to the world of theory, such as gravitational waves and the Higgs boson, can come within reach of actual observation.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 20 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for gravitational wave
Dictionary Entries Near gravitational wave
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“Gravitational wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gravitational%20wave. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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