How does general relativity explain time?
The general theory of relativity predicts a time dilatation in a gravitational field, so that, relative to someone outside of the field, clocks (or atomic processes) go slowly. This retardation is a consequence of the curvature of space-time with which the theory identifies the gravitational field.
How do you explain the general theory of relativity?
What is general relativity? Essentially, it’s a theory of gravity. The basic idea is that instead of being an invisible force that attracts objects to one another, gravity is a curving or warping of space. The more massive an object, the more it warps the space around it.
How long did Einstein work on the theory of relativity?
After thinking about the problems for 10 years, he published the general theory of relativity. In it, he suggested that gravity is not a force, as Newton had believed, but the result of a curvature of the space-time continuum — the four dimensional world in which we live.
Did Einstein create tensor calculus?
Developed by Gregorio Ricci-Curbastro and his student Tullio Levi-Civita, it was used by Albert Einstein to develop his general theory of relativity. Unlike the infinitesimal calculus, tensor calculus allows presentation of physics equations in a form that is independent of the choice of coordinates on the manifold.
What is the timeline of gravitational physics and general relativity?
The following is a timeline of gravitational physics and general relativity . 1543 – Nicolaus Copernicus places the Sun at the gravitational center, starting a revolution in science 1583 – Galileo Galilei induces the period relationship of a pendulum from observations (according to later biographer).
What is the general theory of relativity?
The general theory of relativity (or general relativity for short) is a major building block of modern physics. It explains gravity based on the way space can ‘curve’, or, to put it more accurately, it associates the force of gravity with the changing geometry of space-time. History of general relativity
When did Einstein publish his theory of general relativity?
1915 – Albert Einstein completes his theory of general relativity. The new theory explains Mercury ‘s strange motions that baffled Urbain Le Verrier. 1915 – Karl Schwarzschild publishes the Schwarzschild metric about a month after Einstein published his general theory of relativity.
Are the spacetime evolution equations of general relativity well-behaved?
These decompositions show that the spacetime evolution equations of general relativity are well-behaved: solutions always exist, and are uniquely defined, once suitable initial conditions have been specified. Such formulations of Einstein’s field equations are the basis of numerical relativity.