Is spacetime a constant?

In general relativity, space and time are woven together into the unified fabric of space-time, the four-dimensional stage that underpins our universe. This space-time is continuous, which means that there are no gaps anywhere; it’s all a smooth texture.

Is gravity the same thing as curvature of spacetime?

Gravity is the curvature of the universe, caused by massive bodies, which determines the path that objects travel. That curvature is dynamical, moving as those objects move. In Einstein’s view of the world, gravity is the curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects.

How does the curvature of spacetime cause gravity?

The curvature of spacetime (not just space) is responsible for gravity. Literally, near heavy objects, the “future direction” points slightly down. In curved space (e.g., near a large blue mass) parallel lines can come together, and moving through time leads to movement downward.

Is spacetime discrete or continuous?

In the usual definition of general relativity, spacetime is continuous. However, general relativity is a classical theory and does not take quantum effects into account. Such effects are expected to show up at very short distances, where your question is relevant.

Is time continuous or discrete physics?

While time is a continuous quantity in both standard quantum mechanics and general relativity, many physicists have suggested that a discrete model of time might work, especially when considering the combination of quantum mechanics with general relativity to produce a theory of quantum gravity.

How are space-time and gravity related?

The gravitational field is really a curving of space and time. The stronger the gravity, the more spacetime curves, and the slower time itself proceeds. Earth’s mass warps space and time so that time actually runs slower the closer you are to earth’s surface.

What is gravity according to general relativity?

GETTING A GRIP ON GRAVITY Einstein’s general theory of relativity explains gravity as a distortion of space (or more precisely, spacetime) caused by the presence of matter or energy. A massive object generates a gravitational field by warping the geometry of the surrounding spacetime.

Is general relativity classical physics?

General Relativity and also Special Relativity are not considered as Classical Physics. Classical Physics is Newtonian Physics and other topics in Physics in which the free space is just an indifferent background for all the physical processes and effects.

Are space and time quantized?

Today, while it is generally accepted that spacetime is quantized, there is disagreement as to how quantization manifests itself [5]. In this approach, space and time are quantized in the way quantities like energy and momentum are quantized in ordinary quantum field theories.

Is gravity a curvature of space-time?

In general, when there is spacetime curvature at least somewhere in the domain, this isn’t possible (**). From Einstein’s point of view, gravity is not a curvature of space-time, but rather curvature is a manifestation of gravity.

Is gravity the warping of space and time?

The equivalence principle tells us that the effects of gravity and acceleration are indistinguishable. In thinking about the example of the cylindrical ride, we see that accelerated motion can warp space and time. It is here that Einstein connected the dots to suggest that gravity is the warping of space and time.

What is gravity according to Albert Einstein?

It is here that Einstein connected the dots to suggest that gravity is the warping of space and time. Gravity is the curvature of the universe, caused by massive bodies, which determines the path that objects travel. That curvature is dynamical, moving as those objects move.

How does gravity affect the passage of time?

Gravity slows the passage of time. Similar to how the passage of time is changed under special relativity, general relativity predicts that massive objects will also dilate time. The more massive the object, the more noticeable the effect.