Yes, general relativity does predict time dilation. In fact, time dilation due to gravity is a fundamental prediction of the theory. According to general relativity, the presence of a massive object curves the fabric of spacetime, and this curvature affects the passage of time.
In regions of stronger gravitational fields, such as near massive objects like stars or black holes, time appears to pass more slowly compared to regions with weaker gravity. This means that clocks in stronger gravitational fields will tick slower relative to clocks in weaker gravitational fields when observed by a distant observer. This effect is known as gravitational time dilation.
Gravitational time dilation has been observed and confirmed through various experiments and observations. For example, highly accurate atomic clocks on Earth have been compared to clocks on satellites in orbit, and the difference in their ticking rates has been measured. The clocks in orbit, experiencing weaker gravity, tick slightly faster than clocks on the Earth's surface.
As for the effect of time dilation on the movement of objects and particles, it is important to note that time dilation affects the perception of time for observers in different gravitational fields. From the perspective of a clock or a particle experiencing time dilation, there is no direct effect on its internal dynamics or its movement through space. Time dilation is a purely relativistic effect that results from the curvature of spacetime.
However, it is worth mentioning that time dilation can have indirect consequences for the behavior of objects and particles. For example, in the vicinity of a black hole, where the gravitational field is extremely strong, the time dilation can lead to significant distortions in the paths of light rays and the motion of particles. These effects are responsible for phenomena like gravitational lensing and the bending of light around massive objects.
In summary, general relativity predicts time dilation due to gravity, and this phenomenon has been observed and confirmed experimentally. Time dilation affects the perception of time for observers in different gravitational fields, but it does not directly impact the internal dynamics or movement of objects and particles. However, it can have indirect effects on their behavior in the presence of strong gravitational fields.