14
Mass and
the Curvature of Space
First consider case with little mass (little
curvature)
Ant (in 2-d world) can
move in straight line from point A to point B.
Add mass to create
curvature in extra dimension invisible to the ant.
In trying to go from point A
to
point B, fastest path is curved one
which avoids the deepest part of the
point B, fastest path is curved one
which avoids the deepest part of the
well.
Ant will be
delayed by the extra
motion in
the hidden third
dimension.
Both effects verified in sending
photons past the sun:
Bending of starlight during solar
eclipse
Delay in signals from spacecraft on
opposite side of the sun
opposite side of the sun
From Voyages through the Universe by Fraknoi et
al.
