Gravity's effect on time from "summary" of A Breif History of Time and the Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking
Gravity, as described by the theory of general relativity, is not just a force that pulls objects towards each other. It also has the ability to affect time itself. This concept may seem strange at first, but it is a fundamental aspect of the relationship between gravity and the fabric of spacetime. According to general relativity, massive objects like stars and planets can warp the fabric of spacetime around them. This warping effect is what we perceive as gravity. When spacetime is warped by a massive object, it also affects the flow of time in that region. Essentially, gravity can slow down time or speed it up depending on the strength of the gravitational field. For example, near a black hole where gravity is extremely strong, time would appear to slow down for an outside observer compared to someone far away from the black hole. This phenomenon is known as gravitational time dilation. In this case, the intense gravity of the black hole warps spacetime to such an extent that time itself is distorted. On the other hand, in regions of weak gravity, such as outer space far from any massive objects, time would flow at a more regular pace. This means that gravity not only influences the motion of objects in space but also has a direct impact on the passage of time. Therefore, the concept of gravity's effect on time is a crucial aspect of understanding the interconnected nature of the universe and how different forces shape our perception of reality.
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