Frank L. H. Wolfs
Department of
Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Slide 42
The general theory of relativity
¥In the general theory of relativity space and time are
closely connected (space-time) and may be curved.
¥When particles and light travel in space-time, they
follow the shortest paths between two points (the geodesic). The geodesics are in general not
straight lines; they are only straight if space and time are not curved.
¥Masses and energies present in space and time
determine how space and time are warped. This process is what we call
gravity.
¥The
general theory of relativity can be summed up in one statement:
"Space-time, with its curvature, tells masses how to move; masses tell space-time how to
curve."