Which statement about gravity in general relativity is true?

Which statement about gravity in general relativity is true?

• A. Gravity is a force transmitted by particles
• B. Gravity is the curvature of space
• C. Gravity is identical to electromagnetism
• D. Gravity has no effect on time

Answer: (B)

In general relativity, gravity isn’t a force carried by particles. It’s the way mass-energy shapes the geometry of spacetime itself. Mass tells spacetime how to curve, and that curvature tells objects how to move: free-falling bodies follow the straightest possible paths, or geodesics, in the curved spacetime. Because this curvature involves both space and time, gravity also changes how time passes near massive objects (gravitational time dilation) and bends light. So describing gravity as the curvature of space (really, spacetime) captures the essential idea: gravity emerges from geometry, not from a force carried by particles or from electromagnetism, and it does affect time.

In general relativity, gravity isn’t a force carried by particles. It’s the way mass-energy shapes the geometry of spacetime itself. Mass tells spacetime how to curve, and that curvature tells objects how to move: free-falling bodies follow the straightest possible paths, or geodesics, in the curved spacetime. Because this curvature involves both space and time, gravity also changes how time passes near massive objects (gravitational time dilation) and bends light. So describing gravity as the curvature of space (really, spacetime) captures the essential idea: gravity emerges from geometry, not from a force carried by particles or from electromagnetism, and it does affect time.