Why is general relativity a theory?

General relativity is a theory of gravitation developed by Albert Einstein between 1907 and 1915. The theory of general relativity says that the observed gravitational effect between masses results from their warping of spacetime. … In Newton's model, gravity is the result of an attractive force between massive objects.

Is general relativity a theory?

General relativity is a metric theory of gravitation. At its core are Einstein's equations, which describe the relation between the geometry of a four-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian manifold representing spacetime, and the energy–momentum contained in that spacetime.

Why is relativity a theory?

The theory of general relativity better enables us to study distant stars. Therefore, Einstein proposed the theory of special relativity, which boils down to this: The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames, and the speed of light is the same for all observers. …

What evidence supports the theory of general relativity?

The astronomical discovery of gravitational lenses in 1979 gave additional support for general relativity.) In 1919 observation of a solar eclipse confirmed Einstein's prediction that light is bent in the presence of mass.

How do you explain the theory of relativity?

0:515:55Understanding Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity – YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEach other as stationary objects as for you and the train are moving at the same speed henceMoreEach other as stationary objects as for you and the train are moving at the same speed hence relative to the train. You are stationary. And the laws of physics.

What is the general theory of relativity in simple terms?

What is general relativity? Essentially, it's a theory of gravity. The basic idea is that instead of being an invisible force that attracts objects to one another, gravity is a curving or warping of space. The more massive an object, the more it warps the space around it.

What is the meaning of general relativity?

General relativity is concerned with gravity, one of the fundamental forces in the universe. … Gravity defines macroscopic behaviour, and so general relativity describes large-scale physical phenomena.

How is general relativity more general than special relativity?

It's because general relativity “subsumes” special relativity. Special relativity is like “relativity in some special cases”, whereas general relativity is like “relativity in all cases”. It's also more complex because it's describing gravity and motion due to gravity, rather than just motion.

What is special theory of relativity and general theory of relativity?

Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity. General relativity explains the law of gravitation and its relation to other forces of nature. It applies to the cosmological and astrophysical realm, including astronomy.