In general relativity, gravity is described as the curvature of spacetime rather than solely being attributed to time dilation. Both space curvature and time dilation are interconnected aspects of the theory and play a role in the gravitational effects predicted by general relativity.
According to general relativity, massive objects like planets, stars, or black holes create a gravitational field that causes the curvature of spacetime. The presence of mass or energy warps the fabric of spacetime, and the motion of objects within this curved spacetime is influenced by the gravitational field.
The curvature of spacetime determines the paths that objects follow, including the motion of planets around the sun or the trajectory of light in the vicinity of a massive object. This curvature is a manifestation of gravity and is responsible for the gravitational attraction between objects.
Time dilation is another consequence of the curvature of spacetime. In regions with a strong gravitational field, time appears to run slower compared to regions with weaker gravitational fields or no gravitational field. This is known as gravitational time dilation.
The extent of time dilation depends on the strength of the gravitational field. The closer an object is to a massive body or the stronger the gravitational field it experiences, the greater the time dilation effect. This can be observed, for example, by comparing the passage of time for clocks in space and clocks on Earth's surface.
So, in summary, gravity in general relativity is primarily described as the curvature of spacetime, which influences the motion of objects and causes phenomena such as the bending of light. Time dilation is a consequence of this spacetime curvature and represents the differences in the flow of time experienced in different gravitational fields.