Let me begin by saying I'm not a student of any kind of physics, I just have a general curiosity about the forces at work in the universe, so for most of the people reading this, my question will probably seem either stupid or strangely obvious!
Anyway, my question is this:
My understanding is Einstein's theory of general relativity basically proved Newton wrong with regard to his universal law of gravitation, but does that mean gravity in the Newtonian sense doesn't exist at all, and that all gravitational attraction between objects is due to curvature in space-time caused by those objects? Even when considering something basic (an apple) falling from some altitude (the branch of a tree) onto the earth?
Or is Einstein's formulation more appropriate when dealing with massive objects like stars and planets, while Newton's idea holds true on smaller scales like people and apples?
Anyway, my question is this:
My understanding is Einstein's theory of general relativity basically proved Newton wrong with regard to his universal law of gravitation, but does that mean gravity in the Newtonian sense doesn't exist at all, and that all gravitational attraction between objects is due to curvature in space-time caused by those objects? Even when considering something basic (an apple) falling from some altitude (the branch of a tree) onto the earth?
Or is Einstein's formulation more appropriate when dealing with massive objects like stars and planets, while Newton's idea holds true on smaller scales like people and apples?