The Basics of General Relativity Explained

Predicts effects like gravitational lensing and time dilation near massive objects.In summary, General Relativity is a theory that extends Special Relativity to include gravity and explains how gravity works through the concept of warped spacetime. It predicts effects such as gravitational lensing and time dilation near massive objects.
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yukcream
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what is general relativity really talk about?
 
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Please note that if you scroll a little bit further down the PF list, we DO have a section devoted to Special and General Relativity. Please post all future questions related to this topic on that section.

Zz.
 
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yukcream said:
what is general relativity really talk about?

The short version is that General Relativity extends special relativity so that the resulting theory includes gravity.
 
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Special Relativity - Reconciled Newton's mechanics and Maxwell's electromagnetism...but only for things in uniform motion (non accelerating reference frame). Time and space are relative. Speed of light is constant.

General Relativity - Expanded SR to include acceleration and gravity. Provides a theory of gravity (warped spacetime).
 

FAQ: The Basics of General Relativity Explained

What is general relativity?

General relativity is a theory of gravity developed by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century. It describes how massive objects in space affect the curvature of spacetime, which in turn determines the motion of other objects.

How does general relativity differ from Newton's theory of gravity?

Newton's theory of gravity describes gravity as a force between masses, while general relativity explains gravity as a result of the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass. Additionally, general relativity incorporates the concept of time dilation and the effects of acceleration, which are not included in Newton's theory.

What are the key concepts in general relativity?

Some key concepts in general relativity include spacetime, which is the combination of space and time as a four-dimensional continuum, and the principle of equivalence, which states that the effects of gravity are equivalent to the effects of acceleration. The theory also includes the concept of geodesics, which are the paths that objects follow in the curved spacetime created by mass.

How does general relativity explain the bending of light?

According to general relativity, mass curves the fabric of spacetime, which in turn affects the path of light. As light passes near a massive object, its path is bent due to the curvature of spacetime. This can be observed during a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing, where the light from distant objects is bent by the gravity of a closer massive object.

What are some practical applications of general relativity?

General relativity has many practical applications, including the use of GPS technology, which relies on the precise measurement of time and the effects of time dilation predicted by the theory. It has also been used to explain the motion of stars and galaxies, and to make predictions about the behavior of black holes and gravitational waves.

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