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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What is the meaning of "Spacetime Curvature"?
« on: 04/07/2013 01:42:11 »
I'm curious as to what the average Joe thinks when he hears the term spacetime curvture. What did think when you heard of it the first time. By this I mean what did the concept bring to mind when you first learned about it? If you've studied it for some time now then what do you think it means now as compared to when you first started learning it?
My impression is that many people believe that spacetime curvature refers to the curving of a worldline in spacetime caused by a gravitational field. Am I close? I, of course, know what it means. I just want to know if people have the right idea about it. It seems to me that when people think of spacetime curvature and the phrase gravity is a curvature in spacetime that they think that the gravitational field we all know and love and have grown up in and live with all of our lives are the same thing.
What do you think? And than you for your thoughts in advance.
My impression is that many people believe that spacetime curvature refers to the curving of a worldline in spacetime caused by a gravitational field. Am I close? I, of course, know what it means. I just want to know if people have the right idea about it. It seems to me that when people think of spacetime curvature and the phrase gravity is a curvature in spacetime that they think that the gravitational field we all know and love and have grown up in and live with all of our lives are the same thing.
What do you think? And than you for your thoughts in advance.