Gravity as Curved Space-Time
According to Einsteinās General Relativity, gravity is not just a force ā it is the curvature of space and time caused by mass and energy.
Black holes curve space-time more extremely than any other known object.
Time Dilation Near Black Holes
As gravity increases:
Time slows down
Clocks near black holes tick more slowly compared to distant observers
From an outside observerās perspective, an object falling into a black hole appears to freeze at the event horizon.
Orbits, Accretion Disks & Jets
Matter falling toward a black hole often forms an accretion disk:
Gas heats up due to friction
Emits powerful radiation
Can outshine entire galaxies
Some black holes produce relativistic jets, blasting particles outward at near light speed.
Why We Donāt Fall Into One
Despite popular fear:
Black holes are extremely rare nearby
Sagittarius A* has existed for billions of years without harming Earth
Normal gravity laws apply at safe distances
Key Takeaways
Gravity bends space and time
Time slows near massive objects
Black holes are observable via their effects
Relativity predicts these behaviours accurately