The Schwarzschild metric is a solution to the equations of general relativity proposed by Karl Schwarzschild in 1916. It describes the gravitational field outside a spherical, non-rotating mass, such as a planet or a black hole. This metric helps us understand how space and time are affected by gravity, illustrating how objects move in the presence of a massive body. In the Schwarzschild metric, the geometry of spacetime is altered by the mass of the object, leading to phenomena like time dilation and the bending of light. This framework is essential for studying black holes and understanding the universe's structure and behavior under the influence of gravity.