General relativity (theory)

General relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, describes gravity not as a force but as the curvature of space and time caused by mass and energy. Massive objects like stars and planets create indentations in the fabric of spacetime, and this curvature influences how objects move—appearing as gravitational attraction. Imagine spacetime as a stretchy sheet: placing a heavy ball creates a dip, and smaller balls roll toward it. This theory explains phenomena like black holes, gravitational waves, and the expanding universe, providing a comprehensive understanding of gravity's role in the cosmos beyond Newton's earlier laws.