Pseudoscience/General Relativity vs Newtonian Mechanics

General Relativity vs Newtonian Mechanics

Newtonian Mechanics

Newtonian mechanics is based on application of Newton’s Laws of motion of 1687, which assume that the concepts of distance, time, and mass, are absolute, that is, motion is in an inertial frame. The Newtonian idea of the complete separation of space and time, and the concept of the absoluteness of time, are violated by the Theory of Relativity.

For most practical applications, relativistic effects are negligible and Newtonian mechanics is an adequate description at low velocities.

General Relativity

General relativity, published in 1915, is physicist Albert Einstein's understanding of how gravity affects the fabric of space-time.

According to general relativity, the spacetime is a 4-dimensional object that has to obey an equation, called the Einstein equation, which explains how matter curves the spacetime.

In this theory, gravity is not really a "force"; where the "gravitational field" comes out of the description of general relativity as a result of the curved spacetime.

Einstein's description of gravitation accounts for several effects that are unexplained by Newton's law, such as minute anomalies in the orbits of Mercury and other "planets". General relativity also predicts novel effects of gravity, such as gravitational waves, gravitational lensing and an effect of gravity on time known as gravitational time dilation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between General Relativity and Newtonian Mechanics?

General Relativity and Newtonian Mechanics are two different theories that explain the behavior of objects in space. Newtonian Mechanics is a classical theory that describes the motion of objects in a non-accelerated frame of reference, while General Relativity is a more modern theory that describes the effects of gravity on objects in a curved space-time.

Which theory is more accurate, General Relativity or Newtonian Mechanics?

General Relativity is considered to be more accurate than Newtonian Mechanics in most cases. Newtonian Mechanics is accurate for objects moving at slow speeds and in weak gravitational fields, while General Relativity is needed to accurately describe the motion of objects in strong gravitational fields, such as near black holes.

How does General Relativity account for the bending of light?

In General Relativity, gravity is described as the curvature of space-time caused by massive objects. Light travels along the curved space-time, causing it to appear to bend when passing by massive objects. This phenomenon, known as gravitational lensing, was confirmed by observations during a solar eclipse in 1919.

What is the role of time in General Relativity?

In General Relativity, time is considered to be relative and can be affected by gravity. This means that time can pass at different rates for different observers depending on their location in a gravitational field. This has been confirmed by experiments, such as the Hafele-Keating experiment, which showed that time passes slower for objects in motion.

Can General Relativity and Newtonian Mechanics be unified?

Many scientists are working towards finding a unified theory that combines General Relativity with quantum mechanics, which describes the behavior of particles on a small scale. Some theories, such as string theory, attempt to unify these two theories, but a complete and accepted theory has yet to be found.