Einstein's theory is that Gravity is caused by a mass warping space? Like a bowling ball placed on a mattress?

Answer 1

Hi CHAZ2006

It's important to remember that the bowling ball on a mattress is an *analogy*. Initially it may help you visualise what's going on, but at some point it's going to start giving you wrong ideas.

Einstein's gravity theory (general relativity) could be explained this way:

Mass-energy tells space-time how to curve, and space-time tells mass-energy how to move.

The equations are constructed along these lines too, with all the stuff describing the shape of space-time on one side, and all the stuff describing the distribution of mass-energy on the other. Change the mass energy distribution and you will change the shape of the local space-time, which will then change the way the mass-energy moves, which then changes the shape, which then changes the motion, which then.... you get it. :o)

If you're going to use the rubber sheet analogy (most people go for a trampoline matt instead of a mattress), remember that it's only a 2D representation of 4D space-time. We call this an "embedded diagram" where the other dimensions are compressed. You may see pictures of black holes represented as funnels (for example), and if you forget that these are embedded diagrams then you might wonder "what if I approach the black hole from the tip of the funnel side instead of the mouth side?" In fact, non-spinning black holes are perfectly spherical - they will "look" the same no matter which direction you approach from.


Hope this helps!
The Chicken

Answer 2

Gravity warps spacetime (not just space). Your example of a bowling ball placed on a mattress is a good analogy (since the warping of mattress is only 2-dimensional, whereas space is 3-dimensional).

Answer 3

there is gravity everywhere. It provides structure to the orbits of the planets, the photo voltaic equipment, or perhaps galaxies. Gravity from the sunlight reaches in the course of the photo voltaic equipment and previous, protecting the planets of their orbits. Gravity from Earth keeps the Moon and human-made satellites in orbit. that is real that gravity decreases with distance, so that is available to be a techniques faraway from a planet or well known human being and sense a lot less gravity. yet that would not account for the weightless feeling that astronauts journey in area. the reason that astronauts sense weightless actual has to do with their position compared to their spaceship. We sense weight on earth because gravity is pulling us down, even as the floor or floor end us from falling. we are pressed adversarial to it. Any deliver in orbit around the Earth is falling slowly to Earth. because the deliver and the astronauts are falling on a similar speed, the astronauts do not press adversarial to at least some thing, so that they sense weightless

Answer 4

correct to the two guy before me, gravity warps time and and space (the gravity being the bowling ball the space being the matress)

----please take a second and vote for this post as a helpfull one, thanks

Answer 5

What I remember from school is that a planet's gravitational pull is related to it's size...therefore a big planet (bowling ball) has more pull.

Answer 6

no it is that gravity warps space and time

Answer 7

I am having a senior moment here. Say what? You bet! Whatever