What is the general theory of relativity in simple terms?
General relativity is a theory of space and time. The central idea of general relativity is that space and time are two aspects of spacetime. Spacetime is curved when there is matter, energy, and momentum resulting in what we perceive as gravity. The links between these forces are shown in the Einstein field equations.
What is the theory of relativity in simple terms?
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.
Why is E Mc2 so famous?
This is the most famous equation in the history of equations. The relationship between energy and mass came out of another of Einstein’s ideas, special relativity, which was a radical new way to relate the motions of objects in the universe. …
How does gravity bend light if it has no mass?
General relativity explained, in a consistent way, how gravity affects light. We now knew that while photons have no mass, they do possess momentum (so your statement about light not affecting matter is incorrect). As a star contracts, the gravitational field at its surface gets stronger, thus bending the light more.
Is it possible to bend light?
Yes, light can bend around corners. In fact, light always bends around corners to some extent. This is a basic property of light and all other waves. The ability of light to bend around corners is also known as “diffraction”.
Does light interact with gravity?
Yes, light is affected by gravity, but not in its speed. General Relativity (our best guess as to how the Universe works) gives two effects of gravity on light. It can bend light (which includes effects such as gravitational lensing), and it can change the energy of light. The speed of light is still constant.
Does light slow down in gravity?
Answer: The short answer is no, the speed of light is unchanged by gravity. In Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, space and time can be visualized as a four-dimensional construct that gets warped under the influence of gravity.
Why does light bend due to gravity?
When photons travel through the region near a massive object that has caused significant warping, they follow curved paths because the space-time through which they are moving is curved. While it is true that photons have no mass, it is also true that we see light bend around sources with high mass due to gravity.