Einstein’s Concept of Gravity
Jean Brainard, Ph.D.
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Printed: March 8, 2015
AUTHOR
Jean Brainard, Ph.D.
www.ck12.org
C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Einstein’s Concept of Gravity
1
Einstein’s Concept of
Gravity
• Identify limitations of Newton’s law of gravity.
• Describe Einstein’s theory of gravity and how it differs from Newton’s law.
Why is jumping on a trampoline so much fun? Its springy surface helps you jump higher than you ever could on the
hard ground. But even on a trampoline, you can’t keep jumping higher and higher. Gravity always pulls you back
down. You’ve probably known about gravity since you were in elementary school. It’s the force that pulls all objects
on Earth down toward the ground. Is that all there is to gravity? Absolutely not!
It Started with Newton
In the late 1600s, Isaac Newton introduced his law of gravity, which identifies gravity as a force of attraction between
all objects with mass in the universe. The law also states that the strength of gravity between two objects depends on
their mass and distance apart. Newton’s law of gravity was accepted for more than two centuries. It can predict the
motion of most objects and was even used by NASA to land astronauts on the moon. It’s still used for most practical
purposes. However, Newton’s law doesn’t explain why gravity occurs. It only describes how gravity seems to affect
objects. There are also some cases in which Newton’s law doesn’t even describe what happens.
Q: Newton expressed his ideas about gravity as a law. A law in science is a description of what always occurs in
nature. For example, according to Newton’s law, objects on Earth always fall down, not up. What is needed to
explain gravity?
A: A theory is needed to explain gravity. In science, a theory is a broad explanation that is supported by a great deal
of evidence.
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Einstein Explained It All
In the early 1900s, Albert Einstein came up with a theory of gravity that actually explains gravity rather than simply
describing its effects. Einstein showed mathematically that gravity is not really a force that of attraction between all
objects with mass, as Newton thought. Instead, Einstein showed that gravity is a result of the warping, or curving,
of space and time, which made up the same space-time “fabric.” These ideas about space-time and gravity became
known as Einstein’s theory of general relativity. If you watch the video at the URL below, you can see how Einstein
developed his theory. The video may also help you understand how Einstein’s theory differs from Newton’s law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-p8yZYxNGc
Visualizing Einstein’s Ideas
Einstein derived his theory using mathematics. However, you can get a good grasp of it with the help of a simple
visual analogy. Imagine a bowling ball pressing down on a trampoline. The surface of the trampoline would curve
downward instead of being flat. Now imagine placing a lighter ball at the edge of the trampoline. What will happen?
It will roll down toward the bowling ball. This apparent attraction to the bowling ball occurs because the trampoline
curves downward, not because the two balls are actually attracted to one another by an invisible force called gravity.
Einstein theorized that the sun and other very massive bodies affect space and time around them in a way that
is similar to the effect of the bowling ball on the trampoline. The more massive a body is, the more it causes
space-time to curve. This idea is represented by the Figure 1.1. According to Einstein, objects move toward one
another because of the curves in space-time, not because they are pulling on each other with a force of attraction.
Einstein’s theory is supported by evidence and widely accepted today, although Newton’s law is still used for many
calculations. You can see an animation of the warping of space-time at the following URL.
http://einstein.stanford.edu/Media/Einsteins_Universe_Anima-Flash.html
For a live video demonstration, go to this URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwtJaQyXpQs
To learn about some of the evidence in support of Einstein’s theory, go to this URL:
http://www.universetoday.com/85401/gravity-probe-b-confirms-two-of-einsteins-space-time-theories/
FIGURE 1.1
This diagram shows how Earth’s mass
bends the “fabric” of space and time
around it, causing smaller objects such as
satellites to move toward Earth.
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Chapter 1. Einstein’s Concept of Gravity
Summary
• Newton’s law of gravity can predict the motion of most but not all objects. It also doesn’t explain gravity. It
only describes its effects on the motion of objects.
• Einstein showed mathematically that gravity is not really a force of attraction between all objects with mass,
as Newton thought. Instead, gravity is a result of the warping of space-time.
• Einstein’s ideas have been supported by evidence and are widely accepted today.
Vocabulary
• gravity: As traditionally defined, force of attraction between things that have mass.
Practice
Watch the video about Einstein’s “masterpiece” at the following URL. Then decide whether the statements below
about Einstein and his work are true or false.
http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/general-theory-of-relativity-einsteins-masterpiece-1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Einstein’s theory of general relativity is considered his greatest triumph.
Einstein was award a Nobel prize for his theory of general relativity.
Einstein’s ideas about gravity are just a theory and have no practical use.
Einstein’s thought that all universal laws could be expressed in mathematics.
General relativity is the basis of our understanding of the universe today.
Einstein did not believe in God because of his scientific theories.
Review
1. How did Newton describe gravity?
2. How did Einstein explain gravity?
3. Why is Einstein’s theory of gravity widely accepted today?
References
1. . . public domain
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