Gravity warps space and time from "summary" of A Brief History of Time by Stephen W. Hawking
According to the theory of general relativity, gravity is not just a force between masses. Instead, it is a consequence of the warping of space and time in the presence of mass and energy. Imagine a trampoline stretched out flat, representing the fabric of space-time. Placing a heavy object like a bowling ball on the trampoline causes it to warp, creating a depression in the fabric. If you then roll a smaller object, like a marble, near the bowling ball, it will be attracted towards the larger object due to the curvature of the trampoline. In the same way, massive objects like stars and planets warp the fabric of space-time around them, causing other objects to be attracted towards them. This is what we experience as gravity. The greater the mass of an object, the greater the warping of space-time around it, and the stronger the gravitational pull it exerts. This explains why we feel the effects of gravity on Earth, where the large mass of the planet warps space-time enough to keep us grounded. The warping of space-time by gravity also has other interesting consequences. For example, light traveling near a massive object like a star will be bent by the curvature of space-time, a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. This effect has been observed and confirmed by astronomers, providing evidence for the warping of space and time by gravity. Furthermore, the warping of space-time by gravity also affects the flow of time. Clocks near massive objects will tick more slowly than clocks in regions of weaker gravitational influence. This phenomenon, known as time dilation, has been verified through experiments involving atomic clocks placed at different altitudes on Earth. In summary, the concept of gravity warping space and time is a fundamental principle of general relativity. It explains how massive objects like stars and planets create gravitational fields that influence the motion of other objects around them. This warping of space-time also affects the flow of time, leading to phenomena like gravitational lensing and time dilation. By understanding how gravity warps space and time, we can gain insights into the nature of the universe and the behavior of objects within it.
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