Question:
What are newtons equations of gravity in simple terms?
anonymous
2013-05-07 07:33:26 UTC
What was newtons view of gravity in contrast to spacetime curve suggested by einstein. Which one is correct newtons or einsteins theory?
Three answers:
DaveWH
2013-05-07 07:57:20 UTC
I can only give you a brief explanation here. According to Newton, gravity was an invisible force that acted INSTANTANEOUSLY across space. He studied Copericus, and Kepler, and was able to come up with this equation



F = G M m / r^2

F = Force of gravity (N); G = universal gravitational constant (Nm^2/kg^2); M and m = masses (kg)

r = distance between the centers of mass (m)



Fast forward 300 years or so, and along comes Einstein. According to him, gravity was a change in the geometry of space, caused by the pressence of mass. He said that mass, warps or bends space [and time]. When a planet orbits the sun, it is simply following the curve in the space around the sun, caused by the sun's mass.

As to which one is correct, well, that depends on how accurate you want to be. When NASA send out space probes to the planets, they use Newton's law, which is perfectly adaquate. But, Newton's law has a problem. This was highlighted by the orbit of Mercury, where the effect is most prominent. Newton's equation predicts that the planets should move in elipses. To move in an elipse, the planet would have to start AND END its orbit at the SAME PLACE. But, no planet does that. The planet 'overshoots' a little bit after each orbit. This has the effect of causing the plane of the orbit to rotate, slowly around the sun. This movement is called precession. Newton was aware of the problem with Mercury, but put the effect down to observational errors. The movement is only about 43 secs of arc PER CENTURY! Its tiny.

Einstein's equation correctly allows for this movement. So Einstein's is just a more accurate way to do things. They are both correct within their range of use. However, Einstein showed that gravity CANNOT act instantaneously. Any change in the gravitational field from the sun can only travel AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT, and would thus take about 8 minutes to reach us. So if the sun were to suddenly disappear, everything would seem fine here on earth. Then, 8 mins later, we would suddenly be aware that the sun was no longer there.
anonymous
2013-05-07 09:29:00 UTC
Newton's gravitation is a force, that is a constant, times the ratio of (mass1 / distance between) times (mass2 / distance between).



"What was newtons view of gravity in contrast to spacetime curve suggested by einstein."



It was a spooky action-at-a-distance, with an unknown force carrier. Newton was not happy with that model, but the math worked for what could be verified until the late 1800s.



"Which one is correct newtons or einsteins theory?"



Neither are correct, as in "Truth". Newton is close for baseballs, and planets if you don't measure too closely. Einstein describes, additionally:

- the spindown of binary pulsars

- the advancement of the perihelion of Mercury

- gravitational lensing

- Shapiro time delay

- gravitational time dilation

- frame dragging

- Universal expansion

- anomalous gravitational boosting of satellites in slingshot orbits

- lots more... that Newton *cannot* do
billrussell42
2013-05-07 07:57:18 UTC
Gravitational attraction in newtons

F = G m₁m₂/r²

G = 6.674e-11 m³/kgs²

m₁ and m₂ are the masses of the two objects in kg

r is the distance in meters between their centers



They are both correct. Newton's math works in 99% of the situations. Only when speeds get close to the speed of light do you need Einstein.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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