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."
"Space-time, with its curvature,
tells masses how to move;
masses tell space-time how to curve."