Consider the following phenomena : 1. Light is affected by gravity. 2. The Universe is constantly expanding. 3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time. Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media ?
- A1 and 2 only
- B3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, published in 1915, revolutionized our understanding of gravity by describing it not as a force, but as a curvature of space-time caused by mass and energy. All three statements are indeed predictions or fundamental consequences of this theory:
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Light is affected by gravity: General Relativity predicts that light rays, even though massless, will follow the curvature of space-time caused by massive objects. This phenomenon, known as gravitational lensing, was famously confirmed during a solar eclipse in 1919 and is now widely observed.
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The Universe is constantly expanding: While Edwin Hubble's observations in the 1920s provided empirical evidence for the expanding universe, General Relativity's field equations, when applied to the universe as a whole, naturally lead to solutions that describe a dynamic universe, including an expanding one. Einstein himself initially introduced a cosmological constant to force a static universe, but later called it his 'biggest blunder' after Hubble's discovery.
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Matter warps its surrounding space-time: This is the central tenet of General Relativity. Instead of gravity being a force pulling objects, massive objects (matter and energy) deform or 'warp' the fabric of space-time around them. Other objects (including light) then follow the curved paths in this warped space-time, which we perceive as gravity.
Therefore, all three phenomena are predictions or direct implications of Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.

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