How are Newton's and Einstein's theories of gravity related?
A) Newton's theory applies only to planetary motion while Einstein's theory applies only to black holes
B) Einstein's theory is an approximation of Newton's theory
C) the two theories are identical
D) Newton's theory is an approximation of Einstein's theory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Newton's theory of gravity is a special case of Einstein's theory of general relativity, which is a more accurate and comprehensive theory of gravity. Einstein's theory modifies Newton's theory by incorporating the concept of space-time curvature and explains phenomena that cannot be explained by Newton's theory alone, such as the bending of light around massive objects and the existence of black holes. Newton's theory is still useful for many common astronomical applications, but it is not as accurate as Einstein's theory in general.

How Are Newton's and Einstein's Theories of Gravity Related