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What was the key early test of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Einstein described his general relativity (gr) hypothesis in November of 1915. It predicted that the path of light from a distant star would appear to bend* when it passed near to our Sun. Such an effect could only be observed during a solar eclipse, and only with very sensitive instruments. Einstein admitted that a failure to observe the effect EXACTLY as predicted would mean all of gr would have to be abandoned -- there was pretty no "fudge factor" that would permit a modification of his basic idea to meet experimental results.
Einstein was able to show that gr explained an anamalous precession of the perehelion of Mercury. This was an unexpected early "test" of his hypothesis, but was hardly proof. It simply meant that gr explained a known fact of nature better than other ideas, but that did not mean it was the ONLY possible explanation.
The first observational test of light bending -- a test that would unambiguous prove or disprove gr -- was done by Arthur Eddington in 1919 May, and the results, when announced in November of that year, made Einstein a world celebrity literally overnight. More exact observations done in 1922 showed, beyond any dispute, that this bending was exactly as Einstein had predicted.
* I say "appear" because, in actuality, space is being warped and the light is simply following the space through which it is traveling.
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∙ 11y ago
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What flaw did Einstein make in his theory of relativity?
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread... I am not about to suggest that I know a flaw in any theory, let alone those of Einstein. They don't call him an 'Einstein' for nothin'. But scientists do point out that Einstein's equations apparently break down at what we would call today a singularity. It seems too that for this and other reasons, Quantum Theory may one day supplant Relativity. It was once thought that Relativity and Quantum Theory could not co-exist; there are now some possibilities that they can be reconciled. Whether or not the theories of Relativity are proven wrong, they were central to an amazing burst of insight on the part of many great scientists in the early decades of the 20th century.
What was albert Einstein contributions to physics?
Einstein's early work on the theory of relativity (1905) dealt only with systems or observers in uniform (unaccelerated) motion with respect to one another and is referred to as the special theory of relativity; among other results, it demonstrated that two observers moving at great speed with respect to each other will disagree about measurements of length and time intervals made in each other's systems, that the speed of light is the limiting speed of all bodies having mass, and that mass and energy are equivalent. In 1911 he asserted the equivalence of gravitation and inertia, and in 1916 he completed his mathematical formulation of a general theory of relativity that included gravitation as a determiner of the curvature of a space-time continuum. He then began work on his unified field theory, which attempts to explain gravitation, electromagnetism, and subatomic phenomena in one set of laws; the successful development of such a unified theory, however, eluded Einstein.Photons and the Quantum TheoryIn addition to the theory of relativity, Einstein is also known for his contributions to the development of the quantum theory. He postulated (1905) light quanta (photons), upon which he based his explanation of the photoelectric effect, and he developed the quantum theory of specific heat. Although he was one of the leading figures in the development of quantum theory, Einstein regarded it as only a temporarily useful structure. He reserved his main efforts for his unified field theory, feeling that when it was completed the quantization of energy and charge would be found to be a consequence of it. Einstein wished his theories to have that simplicity and beauty which he thought fitting for an interpretation of the universe and which he did not find in quantum theory.
Why was albert Einstein so important?
Einstein restructured physicist's ideas of the nature of space and time leading to the theories of Special and General Relativity which underpin cosmology. To date, these key theories have been found to be consistent with all known data. He also was one of the first thinkers to work within the burgeoning field of quantum mechanics, working on the photo electric effect and the nature of light in the early days of quantum physics. He actually won his first Nobel Prize for the full analysis of Brownian Motion leading to the proof of the existence of the atom, his second Nobel Prize was for his work on the Photoelectric Effect and his third Nobel Prize was for his work on Relativity. His most famous theory is Special relativity involving the effects of traveling close to the speed of light. His crowning achievement was General relativity which deals with the curvature of space due to mass distributions (but not with effects of travel close to the speed of light, having been already explained by Special relativity) which fully explained the origins of the gravitational force. Einstein spent much of his later life trying to reconcile all the known forces in the Universe (known as the Grand Unified Theory or GUT) he was unsuccessful. The unification of Quantum Mechanics and relativity is still a 'hot' topic as this would unify Physics of the very small (quantum mechanics) with the Physics of the very large (relativity) and provide a good start towards a GUT. His imagionation and gift for physics helped him develop ideas that shook the world!
What was Albert Einstien famous for?
He was a famous scientist in the early to mid 20th century. He studied physics and won a Nobel Prize for his work on the photoelectric effect. Among his other achievements are the theories of Special and General Relativity, and the equivalence of matter and energy in the equation E = Mc2 AND FOR HIS FUNNY AND BIG HAIR.
How did Albert Einstein help the world?
Einstein helped figure out new concepts in the study of science/physics. He discovered the theory of relativity using his famous equation E=Mc2. He also discovered kinetic energy and many other things. In the early 1900s, Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt warning him that the Germans were going to attack.
Who formulated the theory relativity early in the century?
Einstein
Who formulated the theory of relativity early in the century?
Albert Einstein
What theory of albert Einstein was not acceepted for a long time?
brownian motion was accepted early on, but his special and general theories of relativity, and his theory regarding quanta took longer to be accepted by all.
What flaw did Einstein make in his theory of relativity?
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread... I am not about to suggest that I know a flaw in any theory, let alone those of Einstein. They don't call him an 'Einstein' for nothin'. But scientists do point out that Einstein's equations apparently break down at what we would call today a singularity. It seems too that for this and other reasons, Quantum Theory may one day supplant Relativity. It was once thought that Relativity and Quantum Theory could not co-exist; there are now some possibilities that they can be reconciled. Whether or not the theories of Relativity are proven wrong, they were central to an amazing burst of insight on the part of many great scientists in the early decades of the 20th century.
What was society's response to the special theory of relativity?
There were some doubters because Einstein was not well known, but the sheer elegance of his relativity theories and the acceptance by some great physicists made his work generally accepted quite early. His 1921 Nobel Prize (for the Photoelectric Effect work) made him as popular as a rockstar.
What is Albert Einsteins early childhood?
Albert Eistien's childhood was hard because his family's business had failed.
What was albert Einstein contributions to physics?
Einstein's early work on the theory of relativity (1905) dealt only with systems or observers in uniform (unaccelerated) motion with respect to one another and is referred to as the special theory of relativity; among other results, it demonstrated that two observers moving at great speed with respect to each other will disagree about measurements of length and time intervals made in each other's systems, that the speed of light is the limiting speed of all bodies having mass, and that mass and energy are equivalent. In 1911 he asserted the equivalence of gravitation and inertia, and in 1916 he completed his mathematical formulation of a general theory of relativity that included gravitation as a determiner of the curvature of a space-time continuum. He then began work on his unified field theory, which attempts to explain gravitation, electromagnetism, and subatomic phenomena in one set of laws; the successful development of such a unified theory, however, eluded Einstein.Photons and the Quantum TheoryIn addition to the theory of relativity, Einstein is also known for his contributions to the development of the quantum theory. He postulated (1905) light quanta (photons), upon which he based his explanation of the photoelectric effect, and he developed the quantum theory of specific heat. Although he was one of the leading figures in the development of quantum theory, Einstein regarded it as only a temporarily useful structure. He reserved his main efforts for his unified field theory, feeling that when it was completed the quantization of energy and charge would be found to be a consequence of it. Einstein wished his theories to have that simplicity and beauty which he thought fitting for an interpretation of the universe and which he did not find in quantum theory.
What is Science and theory in the early 20th century?
Science and theory in the early 20th century?.
What was Einstein's job before he was a genius?
Einsteins 'job' was never being a genius. He held early positions as a patent clerk.
Was Einsteins brain not normal?
No it wasn't it actually was very normal. He was actually considered a dumb one in his early school life.
Why was albert Einstein so important?
Einstein restructured physicist's ideas of the nature of space and time leading to the theories of Special and General Relativity which underpin cosmology. To date, these key theories have been found to be consistent with all known data. He also was one of the first thinkers to work within the burgeoning field of quantum mechanics, working on the photo electric effect and the nature of light in the early days of quantum physics. He actually won his first Nobel Prize for the full analysis of Brownian Motion leading to the proof of the existence of the atom, his second Nobel Prize was for his work on the Photoelectric Effect and his third Nobel Prize was for his work on Relativity. His most famous theory is Special relativity involving the effects of traveling close to the speed of light. His crowning achievement was General relativity which deals with the curvature of space due to mass distributions (but not with effects of travel close to the speed of light, having been already explained by Special relativity) which fully explained the origins of the gravitational force. Einstein spent much of his later life trying to reconcile all the known forces in the Universe (known as the Grand Unified Theory or GUT) he was unsuccessful. The unification of Quantum Mechanics and relativity is still a 'hot' topic as this would unify Physics of the very small (quantum mechanics) with the Physics of the very large (relativity) and provide a good start towards a GUT. His imagionation and gift for physics helped him develop ideas that shook the world!
What is a early arrivle theory?
nothing
