You're correct that people often associate time dilation with gravity, but it's important to understand the relationship between the two concepts. In the context of general relativity, time dilation and gravity are interconnected, but it's more accurate to say that gravity causes time dilation, rather than the other way around. The presence of a gravitational field leads to time dilation effects.
According to the theory of general relativity, gravity is not viewed as a force in the traditional sense but rather as a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. Massive objects, such as planets, stars, or black holes, curve the fabric of spacetime around them. This curvature affects the path of objects and the passage of time.
When an object is in a gravitational field, such as near a massive planet, it experiences time dilation. This means that time appears to pass more slowly for the object in the gravitational field compared to a stationary observer outside the field. The stronger the gravitational field, the more pronounced the time dilation effect.
The reason time dilation occurs in a gravitational field is due to the curvature of spacetime. In regions of strong gravitational fields, the curvature of spacetime is greater, and this curvature affects the flow of time. Clocks closer to the source of gravity run slower relative to clocks farther away.
So, in summary, gravity causes time dilation because the presence of a gravitational field curves spacetime, and this curvature affects the passage of time. While it's true that time dilation and gravity are closely related, it's more accurate to say that gravity is the cause of time dilation, rather than time dilation causing gravity.