Is gravity caused by waves or by the curvature of space?

Answer 1

Gravity curves the space.

Answer 2

Gravity is like a Hen trying to bring her chicks together under her wings.
In my room there is a lot of space but i don't see it curve.
A wave is the result of a disturbance of a Medium. Basically a a wave is a moving force.
Space is made of of compressible particles. It does not really curve ,it most likely act as a mold for matter to exist.

Answer 3

Matter tells space and time to curve. Space and time tells matter to move. Gravity equals acceleration.

Answer 4

Gravity is the curvature of spacetime. It is caused by matter and energy.

Answer 5

As concluded by Einstein in his theory of general relativity, space-time (not just space) is curved because of the effect of mass on it. This causes the effect which we call gravity.

Answer 6

The concept of a force that "SUCKS" you towards it was an easy way to explain gravity before Einstein came along. Mass causes space to curve and as a result of the curve, you are pushed towards the mass.

Answer 7

The answer is simple
It is caused by Mass
the only mystery is the Higg's Boson that gives Atoms Mass
What waves ?? What Curvature ?
The Earth's surface curves, but that is because Earth's Mass has made it that way

Answer 8

What is gravity?
We have 2 equally good theories for what gravity is:
General Relativity: Gravity is mass warping the fabric of Space-Time
Quantum Mechanics: Gravity is the exchange of “Messenger Particles” called gravitons. It works like a game that combines Simon Says with Catch. The players (masses) throw balls (gravitons) to each other. Every time a player catches a graviton, if the player is free to move, the player moves one step closer AND adds a graviton to the number in play.

General Relativity: Another thought experiment: Einstein thought, "What exactly is gravity?" Newton described how gravity worked but could not figure out what it was. Example: The earth is attracted to the sun. But, how does the Sun do that? Where is the "rope" that allows the sun to pull on the earth? Newton ignored the question.

Einstein tackled it. And thought (My paraphrase): Suppose you were captured by aliens and drugged, you wake up in a sealed room. The room could be sitting motionless on the earth or you could be on the alien’s spaceship being taken back to their home planet. The space ship could have a soundless, vibration less rocket motor that we cannot tell if it is firing or not. If it is firing it is accelerating the room at 9.8 m/s^2 Is there any experiment that we can do that will allow you to figure out if the room is sitting motionless on the earth or accelerating through space at 9.8 m/s^2? Turns out there are no way to figure out if we are sitting on earth or accelerating through space. This means: If we cannot tell the difference, then there is no difference. ===> Gravity is not a force but acceleration that manifests itself as a warping (curving) of Space-Time. (A very profound conclusion. Newton caught a whiff of this insight, but missed its’ significants. F = MA To get a Force you multiply Mass times Acceleration).
Another way to say this: Masses are not attracted to each other, they just follow the curvature of space-time. The acceleration of gravity is the slope of the curvature of space-time.

Einstein knew from Special Relativity that acceleration would warp Time and Space ===> Gravity is mass warping Time and Space (Space-Time) ===> General Relativity

The warping of Space-Time is necessary for General Relativity. Einstein's reasoning requires it. If it was a force as Newton proposed, then if the mass of the sun disappeared the earth instantly leave its orbit. But, Special Relativity says that nothing, not even gravity can travel faster than light ====> It must take about 8 minutes for the earth to leave its orbit after the sun disappeared. With GR there would be a "ripple" in the fabric of Space-Time that when calculated actually moves at c. All this would be conjecture except we can test GR and its predictions are accurate
Very nice graphic of the Gravity Ripple at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/pro...
1st Hour – A New View of Gravity

The "proofs" are down in Section 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introductio...
If Quantum Mechanics is correct and Gravitons exist, the answer to the original question remains the same: Gravitons travel at the speed of light ===> Still takes 8 minutes. But what is gravity? An acceleration due to the warp in Space-Time or a force "carried" by a Messenger Particle? The Graviton (if it exists) would be the "rope" linking the sun to the earth..====> The result of the Thought Experiment changes: We can now tell the difference because we can in theory detect Gravitons and tell if we are under gravity or acceleration. OPINION: Gravitons are NOT a foregone conclusion. Gravity is so different from the other 3 Fundamental Forces, its mechanism could easily be different. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out. For now: Opinion - Gravity is an acceleration that results from the warp of Space-Time.

Posted by “Old Pilot” (Yahoo will not give me my screen name back)

Answer 9

Mass causes space/time to bend; that bending is what we feel as gravity.

Answer 10

If you believe Einstein, which you should, it's the curvature of "spacetime" that causes gravity (there are at least 4 dimensions).