Difference Between Newton and Einstein

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between special and general relativity, and how Newton's laws of gravity are more accurate in cases with less curvature and slower velocities. General relativity is considered to be more accurate overall.
  • #1
nhmllr
185
1
I was watching a lecture by Walter Lewin, when he started talking about the radius of an event horizon and the mass of its black hole. I was confused, because I thought that black holes were relativistic things. But then I realized that special relativity deals with things moving at velocities, and general relativity is "derived" from it.

So: If things are traveling at velocity 0, then are Newton's laws of gravity 100% accurate when predicting forces?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
General Relativity is not "derived" from SR, in fact, SR is a special case of GR. If things are not moving very fast, and in places without much curvature (e.g. far away from the mass, or for masses which are not very compact), then Newton's laws are approximately accurate. GR is accurate in general.
 

1. What are the main differences between Newton's laws and Einstein's theory of relativity?

Newton's laws of motion describe the behavior of objects in the absence of gravity, while Einstein's theory of relativity explains the behavior of objects in the presence of gravity. Newton's laws are based on classical mechanics, while Einstein's theory is based on the concept of spacetime.

2. How did Einstein's theory of relativity impact our understanding of gravity?

Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of gravity by showing that it is not a force between masses, but rather a curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy.

3. Why is Einstein's theory of relativity considered a more advanced theory than Newton's laws?

Einstein's theory of relativity is considered more advanced because it takes into account the effects of gravity on the fabric of spacetime, while Newton's laws only describe the motion of objects in a simplified, flat space.

4. How does the concept of time differ between Newton and Einstein?

For Newton, time is absolute and flows at a constant rate. However, for Einstein, time is relative and can be affected by factors such as speed and gravity. This is known as time dilation.

5. Can both Newton's laws and Einstein's theory of relativity be used to explain the motion of objects?

Yes, both theories can be used to explain the motion of objects, but Einstein's theory is more accurate and applicable in situations involving high speeds or strong gravitational fields.

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