John wrote in message . ..
I know this has probably been discussed many times but I still haven't
found and answer I can understand. Basic question is why does an apple
fall when I let go of it ?

If there was a 'Force' of attraction as Newton described then that is
understandable even though we don't know how the force is generated.
However, relativity says that space-time is curved which explains why
a satellite stays in orbit. Fair enough.

My question is what is space-time doing in the vicinity of a
stationary apple at the time I let go such that it falls towards the
earth since there are no other forces acting on it now? Maybe the
answer is mathematical but an explanation in layman's terms would be
appreciated.

John

In less contentious times it would be possible to appreceate the idea
of the apple in respect to planetary motion,only intellectual
greediness will disguise the purpose and intents of Newton and that he
draws on Kepler's planetary laws for support.

http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/i...9 0.553.x.593

It is customary for relativists to say that Newton predicts elliptical
orbits when he himself only goes so far as to say it is difficult to
distinguish true motion from apparent (it took Kepler 8 years to
figure out elliptical motion) but because motion is predictable,
Newton's laws are complimentary to discernment of what true celestial
motion is.


"It is indeed a matter of great difficulty to discover, and
effectually to distinguish, the true motion of particular bodies from
the apparent; because the parts of that immovable space, in which
those motions are performed, do by no means come under the observation
of our senses. Yet the thing is not altogether desperate; for we have
some arguments to guide us, partly from the apparent motions, which
are the differences of the true motions; partly from the forces, which
are the causes and effects of the true motion" Principia

http://members.tripod.com/~gravitee/...tions.htm#time