Understanding General Relativity

What is the main difference between Newton's and Einstein's views on gravity?

• Newton believes gravity is a force, while Einstein sees it as a curvature of spacetime.

• Newton thinks gravity is an illusion, while Einstein believes it is a force.

• Einstein believes gravity is a force, while Newton sees it as a curvature of spacetime.

• Newton and Einstein both agree that gravity is a force.

According to Newton, what causes the world lines of inertial observers to become curved?

• The curvature of spacetime.

• The presence of a gravitational force.

• The acceleration of the Earth.

• The distortion of time.

In Einstein's analogy, what mistake does the ant make on the sphere?

• Believing the sphere is a cylinder.

• Believing the sphere is flat.

• Thinking the sphere is a cube.

• Assuming the sphere is a triangle.

What is the role of geodesics in Einstein's theory?

• They are the paths of light in a vacuum.

• They represent the paths of objects in a flat spacetime.

• They are the paths of objects under gravitational force.

• They represent the paths of objects under no force.

How does Einstein's view explain the movement of two apples in a falling box?

• They are affected by a gravitational force pulling them together.

• They are being pushed by an external force.

• They are on initially parallel geodesics that cross due to curved spacetime.

• They are moving in a straight line due to inertia.

What does the experiment with the laser pulse and photon detector demonstrate?

• That spacetime is curved due to gravitational time dilation.

• That spacetime is flat.

• That clocks run at the same rate everywhere.

• That light travels faster in a vacuum.

What is the significance of gravitational time dilation?

• It proves that spacetime is flat.

• It shows that clocks run at different rates in different gravitational fields.

• It indicates that time is constant everywhere.

• It suggests that light travels at different speeds.

What determines the curvature of spacetime according to Einstein's equations?

• The distance between objects.

• The amount of energy present at events.

• The speed of light.

• The mass of objects.

Why do physicists still use the term 'gravity'?

• Because it is a term used in string theory.

• Because it is a more accurate term.

• Because it is a new concept.

• Because it is easier to understand than 'curvature of spacetime'.

What is the main cause of the curvature of spacetime?

• The distance between celestial bodies.

• The speed of light.

• The presence of energy and mass.

• The rotation of the Earth.