Gravity has puzzled scientists and laymen for thousands of years. What strange force holds us to the earth and compells planets to revolve around the sun and moons around the planets? Most of us take gravity for granted, but without it, the sun and planets would not exist and neither would we. Great scientists, such as Galileo, Newton, Einstein and many others, did not take gravity for granted; they strived to understand how it worked and what caused it.
Modern scientists have a comprehensive understanding of the effects of gravity. In local space, they use Newton’s formulas to calculate planetary and satellite orbits and forces acting on space craft. However, they use Einstein’s theory of General Relativity to explain how it works and to account for certain features not explained by Newton’s formula. Scientists eventually found chinks in the armor of Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity, which led to General Relativity. In recent years, scientists have observed phenomenon such as the expansion of the universe that neither Newton's nor Einstein’s theory can fully explain. Indeed, some scientists are looking for a new theory of gravity or a modification of wither Newton's or Einstein's existing theories. Thus, we continually strive to reconcile all known observations within the framework of current theories, fully aware that if known observations do not fit into our current understanding of gravity, we have no choice but to alter or abandon those theories.
Theory of Gravity
William Magrini
Haymarket, VA 20169
magriniw@yahoo.com
