+84 votes
in Theoretical Physics by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+69 votes
by

No, Einstein's field equations, which form the basis of general relativity, do not change the fact that massive objects attract each other. In fact, they provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of gravitational interactions compared to Newtonian gravity.

According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, two massive objects exert an attractive force on each other that is directly proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law is a good approximation for weak gravitational fields and low speeds, such as those encountered in everyday situations.

However, in the presence of strong gravitational fields or when objects move at speeds approaching the speed of light, Newton's law of gravitation is inadequate, and general relativity becomes necessary. Einstein's field equations describe the relationship between the distribution of matter and energy in spacetime and the curvature of spacetime itself.

In general relativity, massive objects still attract each other, but the mechanism underlying this attraction is different. Rather than a direct force acting at a distance, massive objects curve the fabric of spacetime around them. The curvature of spacetime determines the path that objects follow, and this curvature is what we perceive as the force of gravity.

In this way, general relativity provides a deeper understanding of gravity by explaining how the presence of mass and energy warps the geometry of spacetime, resulting in the attraction of massive objects. This theory has been tested and confirmed by numerous experimental observations, such as the bending of light around massive objects and the precise prediction of the perihelion shift of Mercury's orbit.

Therefore, while the concept of gravitational attraction remains valid in general relativity, the underlying understanding of how that attraction arises is fundamentally different from Newtonian gravity.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...