Why do objects fall in general relativity?

General relativity says that energy (in the form of mass, light, and whatever other forms it comes in) tells spacetime how to bend, and the bending of spacetime tells that energy how to move. The concept of “gravity” is then that objects are falling along the bending of spacetime.

Can an object be in free fall and not be falling?

In Newtonian physics, free fall is any motion of a body where gravity is the only force acting upon it. An object moving upwards might not normally be considered to be falling, but if it is subject to only the force of gravity, it is said to be in free fall.

How does Einstein explain falling objects?

Einstein’s understanding of gravity, as outlined in his general theory of relativity, predicts that all objects fall at the same rate, regardless of their mass or composition. To date, Einstein’s equations have passed all tests, from careful laboratory studies to observations of planets in our solar system.

What did Einstein say about free fall?

From this principle, Einstein deduced that free-fall is inertial motion. Objects in free-fall do not experience being accelerated downward (e.g. toward the earth or other massive body) but rather weightlessness and no acceleration.

How does General Relativity explains gravity on Earth?

GETTING A GRIP ON GRAVITY Einstein’s general theory of relativity explains gravity as a distortion of space (or more precisely, spacetime) caused by the presence of matter or energy. A massive object generates a gravitational field by warping the geometry of the surrounding spacetime.

Do things really fall?

Heavy objects fall at the same rate (or speed) as light ones. The acceleration due to gravity is about 10 m/s2 everywhere around earth, so all objects experience the same acceleration when they fall.

Which is true for an object in free fall?

A free falling object is an object that is falling under the sole influence of gravity. Any object that is being acted upon only by the force of gravity is said to be in a state of free fall. Free-falling objects do not encounter air resistance.

Why are objects that fall near Earth’s surface rarely in free fall?

Why are objects that fall near Earth’s surface rarely in free fall? Air exerts forces on falling objects near Earth’s surface. The objects do not reach terminal velocity. The objects can be pushed upward by gravity.

How does an astronaut’s mass vary when standing on the moon versus standing on the Earth?

Mass and weight example – the moon The Moon’s gravity is much less than the Earth’s gravity – approximately one sixth. So, a 100 kg astronaut weighs 980N on Earth. On the Moon, the astronaut would weigh only 162.2N. However, the astronaut’s mass is 100kg where-ever they are.

Does an apple fall to the ground?

The collision of two blackholes caused ripples in the fabric of space that was detectable to us here on Earth. So the apple/Earth followed a single speed straight line through a curved spacetime. Within this regard, the apple doesnt fall to the ground, the ground and everything on it accelerates upward into the apple.