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What happened
The article explores how Albert Einstein's theories revolutionized the understanding of gravity initially described by Isaac Newton. It explains the transition from Newton's concept of gravity as a force to Einstein's theory of General Relativity, which describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime.
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Key insights
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Newton's Concept of Gravity
Isaac Newton described gravity as a force acting at a distance, which could be calculated using his famous inverse-square law. This law explained the motions of planets and objects on Earth with high precision.
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Einstein's General Relativity
Albert Einstein introduced the theory of General Relativity, which redefined gravity not as a force but as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. This theory provided more accurate predictions, especially in extreme conditions like near black holes.
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Implications and Advancements
Einstein's theory has led to significant advancements in our understanding of the universe, including the prediction and subsequent discovery of gravitational waves. It has also influenced various fields such as astrophysics and cosmology.