jfy4 said:quick question, If i am interested in the shape of space time, am i interested in the curvature tensor, or the metric?
The shape of spacetime is a mathematical concept that describes the curvature of space and time. It is a four-dimensional structure that is influenced by the presence of mass and energy.
The curvature of spacetime is measured using a mathematical tool called the curvature tensor. This tensor is used to calculate the degree of bending or warping of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy.
The curvature tensor and the metric are both mathematical tools used to describe the shape of spacetime. The curvature tensor is a measure of the overall curvature, while the metric is a measure of the local curvature at a specific point in spacetime.
The shape of spacetime affects the motion of objects by influencing the path they take through space and time. Objects tend to follow the curvature of spacetime, which is why they move in a specific direction and at a specific speed.
Yes, the shape of spacetime can change. This can occur when there is a change in the distribution of mass and energy in a particular region of space. This change in shape can also be observed through the phenomenon of gravitational waves.