Einsteins general relativity explains gravity as the outcome of spacetime curvature due to mass, contrasting with magnetisms dual ability to drive away and draw in. This theory introduces the idea of gravity wells, main to comprehending gravitational pull. Credit: SciTechDaily.comWhy does gravity pull us down and not up?Gravity is the reason things with mass or energy are drawn in to each other. It is why apples fall towards the ground and worlds orbit stars.Magnets draw in some kinds of metals, however they can also press other magnets away. How come you feel only the pull of gravity?In 1915, Albert Einstein figured out the response when he published his theory of general relativity. The reason gravity pulls you toward the ground is that all items with mass, like our Earth, really bend and curve the fabric of deep space, called spacetime. That curvature is what you feel as gravity.What Is Spacetime?Before entering the complicated world of gravity, you need to comprehend spacetime.Spacetime is precisely what it seems like: the three measurements of area– length, height, and width– combined with the 4th dimension– time. Using some extremely brilliant mathematics, Einstein was the very first individual to understand that the laws of physics operate in a universe where area and time are merged together.What this implies is that space and time are connected– if you move really fast through area, time slows down for you compared to someone who is moving slowly. This is why astronauts– who are moving very quick in space– age a little bit more slowly than individuals on Earth.Earth curves spacetime so that you fall towards Earth instead of far from it. Credit: Tokamac/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SAMatter Makes Gravity Wells, Not Gravity HillsRemember, gravity is the idea that items in the universe are attracted to each other since spacetime is bent and curved. When Einstein created general relativity, he showed that all things in the universe can curve spacetime– in physics terms that things is mass and energy.Since your brain typically thinks of the world in three measurements, it is truly tough to think of the four measurements of spacetime as a single idea. To make it much easier to visualize, picture the surface area of a trampoline. It is flat if there is absolutely nothing on it. If you stand on the trampoline, it stretches around your feet and develops a valley with you at the. If there is a ball on the trampoline, it would roll toward your feet.Gravity works similarly to how objects will roll towards your feet if you stand on a trampoline.This is a two-dimensional example of how spacetime works. Your mass extended the trampoline, producing what is called a gravity well that the ball rolls into. This is very similar to how the gravity of a heavy item– like the Earth– pulls things like you and me toward it.To make things even weirder, given that area and time are linked, time is likewise stretched by heavy objects!In the movie Interstellar, the characters go to a world near a great void, and while they are there, they age slower than everyone else.The heavier you are, the steeper the sides of the trampoline well. That is why actually huge things in deep space– like the Sun or great voids– have stronger gravity than Earth.So why does gravity pull you down and not press you away?Imagine somebody went under the trampoline and pressed up. The ball would roll away! This would be a gravity hill, not a gravity well. As far as scientists know, matter– or stuff– constantly makes gravity wells and not gravity hills. Researchers can picture things made of exotic matter or energy that would cause gravity to press you off into space, but up until now, no one has discovered anything that might cause gravity to push you far from Earth.Written by Mario Borunda, Associate Professor of Physics, Oklahoma State University.Adapted from a post originally released in The Conversation.
Credit: Tokamac/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SAMatter Makes Gravity Wells, Not Gravity HillsRemember, gravity is the idea that items in the universe are attracted to each other since spacetime is curved and bent. That is why really enormous things in the universe– like the Sun or black holes– have more powerful gravity than Earth.So why does gravity pull you down and not press you away?Imagine someone went under the trampoline and pressed up. As far as researchers know, matter– or things– always makes gravity wells and not gravity hills. Scientists can imagine things made of unique matter or energy that would trigger gravity to press you off into space, however so far, no one has actually found anything that could cause gravity to push you away from Earth.Written by Mario Borunda, Associate Professor of Physics, Oklahoma State University.Adapted from an article originally published in The Conversation.
