Gravitational Waves
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2004
Abstract
In elementary physics presentations, one learns about electricity and magnetism, and also about gravity. There appear striking similarities between Newton's law of gravitational attraction and Coulomb's law of attraction between charges. There are also obvious differences, the most immediate one being that in gravitation all masses are positive and always attract each other, whereas in electromagnetism charges may attract or repel, depending on their signs. We also know today that Newton's theory of gravity is not considered an entirely correct description of the gravitational field, particularly when fields are time dependent and intense. The currently accepted theory of gravity is Einstein's theory of general relativity.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics Five Volume Set
First Page
582
Last Page
586
Recommended Citation
González, G., & Pullin, J. (2004). Gravitational Waves. Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics Five Volume Set, 582-586. https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-12-512666-2/00033-X