I often think about this. But then I also often think about synchrotron and how they create EM radiation by accelerating electrons to high speed then bending them in magnetic fields.
When the electron bends in the field, it releases energy in the form of light. It does this as for ‘ever action the is an opposite reaction’. I can’t figure out if it emits light because it’s in a magnetic field, or if it’s because it’s a charged particle.
Either way, when being bent by a large gravitational field, would a proton emit light and lose energy and slow down?
I think the electrons emit photons as a result of decelerating which is caused by the magnetic field (which can influence the charged electron).
And I’ve never actually pondered whether a proton changing its direction due to gravity (technically decelerating along its original path and accelerating along its new path) would emit photons. I don’t think it would because from its frame of reference it’s not accelerating… I need to do some homework, very interesting!
Edit: It seems a charged particle accelerating due to gravity will not emit photons.
When the electron bends in the field, it releases energy in the form of light. It does this as for ‘ever action the is an opposite reaction’. I can’t figure out if it emits light because it’s in a magnetic field, or if it’s because it’s a charged particle.
Either way, when being bent by a large gravitational field, would a proton emit light and lose energy and slow down?