Einstein vs Newton: Does GR Disprove Gravitation?

In summary, Einstein's theory of relativity suggests that light can be bent due to space-time, which raises questions about Newton's gravitation equation F = Gmm/r^2. While this equation does not apply to light, it still holds true in most cases and only differs in extreme scenarios. There is an ongoing discussion on this topic in another thread.
  • #1
Bernard
11
0
If Einstein proved that light (a massless object) can be bent because of space-time. Then what happens to Newton's gravitation equation F = Gmm/r^2. Obviously this cannot apply to light, so technically this should fall completely, having both Newton's and Einsteins discovery working at the same time can be confusing.
 
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  • #3
That depends upon what you mean by "wrong". Einstein's theory differs from Newton's only in extreme cases, such as very large or very small mass, or two objects being extremely close.
 
  • #4
As A.T. says above, we already have a live thread on this question. Please review that thread, and if necessary continue the discussion there.

This thread is closed.
 

1. What is the difference between Einstein's theory of relativity and Newton's theory of gravitation?

Einstein's theory of relativity presents a different understanding of space and time, while Newton's theory of gravitation is based on the concept of absolute space and time. Additionally, Einstein's theory takes into account the effects of gravity on the curvature of space-time, while Newton's theory does not.

2. How did Einstein's theory of relativity disprove Newton's theory of gravitation?

Einstein's theory of relativity did not completely disprove Newton's theory of gravitation. Rather, it expanded upon it and provided a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of how gravity works. Einstein's theory showed that gravity is not just a force between masses, but rather a result of the curvature of space-time caused by those masses.

3. Can Einstein's theory of relativity and Newton's theory of gravitation both be correct?

Yes, both theories can be correct in certain situations. Newton's theory is still accurate for everyday phenomena and can be used to make predictions about the movement of objects on a small scale. However, Einstein's theory is necessary to describe the behavior of objects at high speeds or in strong gravitational fields.

4. What evidence supports the validity of Einstein's theory of relativity?

There are several pieces of evidence that support the validity of Einstein's theory, including the bending of starlight in the presence of a massive object, the precession of Mercury's orbit, and the gravitational redshift of light. Additionally, many experiments and observations have been conducted that confirm the predictions made by Einstein's theory.

5. Are there any limitations or flaws in Einstein's theory of relativity?

While Einstein's theory of relativity has been incredibly successful in explaining and predicting the behavior of the universe, it is not a complete theory. It does not account for the effects of quantum mechanics, and there are still unanswered questions about the nature of gravity and the behavior of black holes. Scientists continue to work on developing a unified theory that can combine Einstein's theory of relativity with quantum mechanics.

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