GENERAL RELATIVITY - Scientific - http://maxpages.com/stargate/General

General Relativity

General relativity is Einstein's monumental theory of gravity. It is based on two fundamental principles:
The principle of relativity which states that all basic laws of physics should take a form which is independent of any reference frame, and The principle of equivalence which states that it is impossible to distinguish the effects
of gravity from the effects of being in an accelerated frame of reference.

Einstein struggled with the consequences of these principles for several years,constructing many thought experiments to try to understand what they meant. Finally learn about Riemann's mathematics of curved geometry and realised that a new theory could be constructed in which the force of gravity was a consequence of the curvature of space-time.

In constructing that theory, Einstein was not significantly influenced by any experimental result which was at odds with the Newtonian theory of gravity. He knew, however,
that Newtonian gravity was inconsistent with his theory of special relativity and he knew there must be a more complete self consistent theory. A similar inconsistency
now exists between quantum mechanics and general relativity and, even though no experimental result is known to violate either theory, physicists now seek a more complete theory.

In the decades that have followed Einstein's discovery, a number of experimental confirmations of general relativity have been found but there still remains a possibility
that it may not be accurate on very large scales, or under very strong gravitational forces. In any case, it is sure to break down under the conditions which are believed to
have existed at the big bang where quantum gravity effects were important.

One of the most spectacular predictions of general relativity is that a dying star of
sufficient mass will collapse under its gravitational weight into an object so compressed that not even light can escape its pull. These objects are known as black holes.
Astronomers now have a growing list of celestial objects which they believe are black holes because of their apparent high density. The accuracy of Einstein's theory may be
stringently tested in the near future when gravitational wave observatories such as LIGO come on-line to observe such catastrophic events as the collisions between black holes.

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