No, time dilation cannot be fully explained using Newton's laws of motion and gravity alone. Newton's laws and the concept of gravity as described by Newtonian physics provide a good approximation of motion and gravity in most everyday situations. However, when dealing with high speeds or strong gravitational fields, Newtonian physics fails to fully explain certain phenomena, including time dilation.
Einstein's theory of relativity, specifically the theory of special relativity and the theory of general relativity, provides a more comprehensive understanding of time dilation.
In special relativity, Einstein introduced the concept that the laws of physics, including the behavior of light, are the same for all observers moving at constant speeds relative to each other. One of the consequences of this theory is time dilation. According to special relativity, time can appear to move differently for observers in relative motion. When two observers are moving relative to each other at high speeds, they will perceive time passing at different rates. An observer in motion will experience time running slower compared to a stationary observer. This effect has been experimentally confirmed and has practical implications, especially in contexts like space travel and particle accelerators.
General relativity, on the other hand, addresses gravity and its effect on spacetime. According to this theory, gravity is not simply a force acting at a distance, as described by Newtonian physics. Instead, gravity is understood as the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy. In regions of strong gravitational fields, such as near massive objects, time dilation occurs due to the warping of spacetime. Clocks in stronger gravitational fields run slower compared to clocks in weaker gravitational fields. This phenomenon has been observed and measured in various experiments, such as with atomic clocks at different altitudes or near massive objects like black holes.
In summary, Einstein's theories of relativity provide a more comprehensive explanation of time dilation, accounting for the effects of high speeds and strong gravitational fields, which cannot be fully explained by Newtonian physics alone.