How does a large mass warp space?

[81+]

Space (outer space) itself is the absence of everything, or what's left after all the dust, various types of radiation, photons, neutrons, etc. etc. are removed. That is, space will still be there when all else is gone.

So exactlyhow does a large mass, like our sun, warp something (space) which is nothing, the complete absence of everything? Space is not an entity --- unless we're back to believing in The Either. Until I understand what's really causing space (or whatever "space" is) to warp near a large mass, I'll never really feel comfortable with GR.

Frank

 

[phinds]

Space (outer space) itself is the absence of everything, or what's left after all the dust, various types of radiation, photons, neutrons, etc. etc. are removed. That is, space will still be there when all else is gone.

So exactlyhow does a large mass, like our sun, warp something (space) which is nothing, the complete absence of everything? Space is not an entity --- unless we're back to believing in The Either. Until I understand what's really causing space (or whatever "space" is) to warp near a large mass, I'll never really feel comfortable with GR.

Frank

You are correct, that space itself is not a "thing" that can be warped. What you are missing is that it is NOT space that is "warped", but space-time.