General Relativity: Gravity as Spacetime Curvature

General Relativity represents our modern understanding of gravity. It emerged from the integration of Special Relativity with the laws of universal gravitation. In this theory, spacetime is no longer a static background, but a dynamic 4-dimensional Riemannian manifold that can be curved and stretched.

The most profound difference from classical physics is that the structure of spacetime—specifically its metric—is determined by the presence of matter and energy. In this context, “matter” is a broad term that includes particles, light, and electromagnetic fields. When gravity is negligible, the equations simplify back to the flat Minkowski space of Special Relativity.

Key Simulations Included:
• The Schwarzschild Solution: Master General Relativity through interactive simulation. From planetary time dilation to the Schwarzschild radius. Visualize the curvature of spacetime and its effects on the celestial paths of our Solar System under the influence of a non-rotating massive body.
• NASA Data: Real planetary positions and velocities (ephemeris) sourced from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
• Classic Verifications: Explore the Perihelion Precession of Mercury and the Deflection of Light by massive objects—the experiments that first proved Einstein right.
• Relativistic Effects: Simulate Gravitational Redshift and Blueshift to see how gravity alters the frequency of light.
• N-Body Problems: Interactive 2-body and 3-body simulations calculated using the complex equations of General Relativity.

Experience the Warped Universe
The General Relativity app allows you to manipulate mass and velocity to see exactly how spacetime reacts. By solving the Einstein field equations in real-time, these simulations provide a visual intuition for concepts that are often hidden behind dense mathematics.

The app is designed to be intuitive and self-explanatory, with a brief guide included for each simulation. By interacting with the models, you can experience firsthand how General Relativity governs the motion of the heavens.

Ready to explore? Download the General Relativity app below.
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