How Gravity Affects Time: Exploring Einstein’s Universe
2 minutes read
Gravity doesn’t just keep us grounded—it also affects how we experience time. According to Einstein’s theory of general relativity, time moves slower in stronger gravitational fields. This means that a clock closer to a massive object, like Earth, will tick a bit more slowly than a clock farther away.
One concrete example discussed in the article is how GPS satellites must account for these differences. Because these satellites orbit above Earth, farther from its gravity, their onboard clocks run faster than those on the ground. Engineers must adjust the timing to ensure accurate navigation, showing how this scientific principle has practical, everyday uses.
This phenomenon, known as gravitational time dilation, matters because it challenges our intuitive understanding of time as absolute. The discovery has profound implications for physics, navigation systems, and even our grasp of the universe’s structure.
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