A geodesic is the shortest path between two points on a curved surface, similar to how a straight line is the shortest distance between two points on a flat surface. In mathematics and physics, geodesics are often studied in the context of Riemannian geometry, where they help describe the properties of curved spaces. In the realm of general relativity, geodesics represent the motion of objects under the influence of gravity. For example, the orbit of a planet around a star follows a geodesic in the curved spacetime created by the star's mass. This concept helps explain how gravity affects the movement of celestial bodies.