Ricci curvature

Imagine you are playing with a ball on a bumpy surface. The ball will roll differently depending on how bumpy the surface is. Ricci curvature is like a way to measure how bumpy a surface is at every single point.

To do this, we use something called a mathematical tool called a tensor. A tensor is like a super calculator that can help us figure out how bumpy a surface is. This tensor takes in different mathematical measurements from the surface, like how much it curves in different directions.

Then, the tensor gives us a number that tells us how much the ball would roll differently on parts of the surface that are really bumpy compared to parts that are less bumpy. This number is called the Ricci curvature.

Scientists can use Ricci curvature to help them understand how gravity works and how objects move through space. It is a really important tool in understanding the way the universe works.