Physical concept · Physics
Spacetime
Cosmology & UniverseEstablished Science
Definition
The four-dimensional fabric of space and time that mass and energy curve to produce gravity.
Scientific overview
Special relativity unified space and time into a single spacetime; general relativity made it dynamical, curved by mass and energy. Cosmology describes the whole Universe as an evolving spacetime.
Rests on
Related scientists
Knowledge connections
- Required byCosmic Inflation
- Related toGravity
- Depends onSpecial Relativity
- Depends onGeneral Relativity
- Developed byAlbert Einstein
- Related toSpecial Relativity
- Associated withTime Dilation
- Associated withThe Equivalence Principle
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.