2006-06-05 23:31:07 · 4 answers · asked by vishwa bakton 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If Einstein is correct, then space/time is FLAT. The thing that distorts it is MASS, objects have Mass, in space time this is GRAVITATIONAL mass, so if you try to think of space as a rubber sheet, drop a weight, ( a planet, a star) onto this and it will distort, this distortion is the GRAVITATIONAL PULL of any Massive Object. Even things as small as atoms exert a gravitational pull.
2006-06-06 02:43:49 · answer #1 · answered by djoldgeezer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best explanation I've come across is the "rubber sheet" analogy. Imagine space/time being a rubber sheet stretched and held tight. If you placed lead marbles on it, they'd make varying sized dimples on it, depending on the weight, (mass) of the marble itself. The larger dimples would have a more wide effect on the "rubber sheet" than the smaller, and would tend to pull in traveling objects from a farther distance, and have a more powerful "pull".
2006-06-06 19:35:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
But we have quite a lot of proof that in fact, space-time is VERY twistable.
Shifts of apparent star position during eclipses, Einstein Rings, etc...
As for space-time having its own mass, I would have to wonder, do you consider matter to be part of space-time, or simply "within" space-time?
2006-06-06 06:36:01 · answer #3 · answered by eyebum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
but still water runs deep
2006-06-06 06:37:24 · answer #4 · answered by fartman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋