What is general relativity in simple words?

What is general relativity in simple words?

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.

What is an example of general relativity?

For example, an observer will see a ball fall the same way in a rocket (left) as it does on Earth (right), provided that the acceleration of the rocket is equal to 9.8 m/s2 (the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the Earth).

What do I need to learn to understand general relativity?

In particular, the typical prerequisites for general relativity are: A basic understanding of special relativity. A solid understanding of calculus and vectors. Basics of linear algebra (optional, but helpful)

How does general relativity explain orbits?

the planetary motions The Sun is the largest object in our Solar System, so, according to Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, the Sun will “warp” spacetime in the Solar System by the largest amount. The planets simply follow the shortest path through spacetime around the Sun, thus explaining their orbits.

What is the mathematics required for general relativity?

Prerequisites. A sound knowledge of multivariable calculus (at least Math 212) and linear algebra (at least Math 218). A basic knowledge of classical mechanics and electromagnetism is desirable but the course will endevour to be self-contained.

What is the difference between general and special relativity?

Both General and Special Relativity have a lot in common, but they differ in some aspects. One of the major differences between the two types is that Special Relativity treats space and time the same way, contending that both things cannot be separated and are the same concepts. Special Relativity theory says that time and space are intertwined.

What are the general relativity equations?

The Einstein field equations (EFE; also known as Einstein’s equations) comprise the set of 10 equations in Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity that describe the fundamental interaction of gravitation as a result of spacetime being curved by mass and energy.

What is an example of the theory of relativity?

Theory of Relativity. One example of relativity is to imagine two people on a train playing ping-pong. The train is traveling at around 30 m/s north. When the ball is hit back and forth between the two players, the ball appears to the players to move north at a speed of around 2 m/s and then south at the speed of 2 m/s.

What does general relativity mean?

General Relativity. A geometrical theory of gravity developed by Albert Einstein in which gravity’s effects are a consequence of the curvature of four-dimensional space-time.