Accurate Results of General Theory of Relativity

In summary, the concept of a flat 3-dimensional space can still be used in general relativity, but to accurately describe gravity, we must consider a 4-dimensional spacetime with curvature. This allows us to calculate phenomena such as time dilation and geodesics. Even in special relativity, a flat 3-space must be embedded into a 4-dimensional Minkowski spacetime when considering proper time and length.
  • #1
sharma_satdev
33
0
is it possible to get accurate results of general theory of relativity without discarding concept of three dimensional flat space
 
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  • #2
I believe that the only way in keeping a flat spacetime and describing gravity geometrically is to use a flat embedding for our 4-dimensional spacetime. But I'm not an expert in this :)
 
  • #3
In the weak field limit (e.g. no strong gravitational fields) we generally approximate space-time as flat, but I'm not sure if that's what you're asking.
 
  • #4
This is how I see it.

General relativity relates the presence of energy-momentum to the curvature of space-time. From the curvature or space-time, we can compute time dilation and geodesics, which are phenomenon of study in GR.

You don't even need GR. Even in SR the flat 3-space must be embedded into a 4-dimentional Minowski space-time when we relate time with proper time and length with proper length.
 

Related to Accurate Results of General Theory of Relativity

1. What is the General Theory of Relativity?

The General Theory of Relativity is a scientific theory proposed by Albert Einstein in 1915. It explains how gravity works by describing it as a curvature in the fabric of space and time. It is considered one of the most important theories in physics and has been confirmed by numerous experiments.

2. How accurate is the General Theory of Relativity?

The General Theory of Relativity has been tested and confirmed with high accuracy in various experiments and observations, including the bending of light around massive objects, the precession of Mercury's orbit, and the detection of gravitational waves. It is considered to be one of the most accurate theories in physics, with a precision of up to 14 decimal places.

3. How does the General Theory of Relativity differ from Newton's theory of gravity?

Newtons's theory of gravity, also known as classical mechanics, describes gravity as a force between two objects with mass. On the other hand, the General Theory of Relativity describes gravity as the curvature of space and time caused by the presence of mass. It also takes into account the effects of high speeds and strong gravitational fields, which Newton's theory does not.

4. Can the General Theory of Relativity be applied to all objects in the universe?

The General Theory of Relativity can be applied to all objects in the universe, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies. However, it is most accurate when dealing with objects with a large mass and high speeds, such as black holes and neutron stars.

5. Are there any current challenges or limitations to the General Theory of Relativity?

While the General Theory of Relativity has been extremely successful in explaining gravity and many other phenomena, it is not a complete theory. It does not account for quantum mechanics, which describes the behavior of particles on a very small scale. This has led to efforts to develop a unified theory that combines both General Relativity and quantum mechanics, such as string theory.

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