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Q62 (IAS/2018) Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Astronomy and astrophysics Official Key

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 ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is option D because all three phenomena are predictions of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.

In 1915, Einstein published his theory of general relativity, in which he determined that massive objects distort spacetime, which is felt as gravity.[1] This directly validates statement 3. Since gravity is explained as the warping of spacetime, and light travels through spacetime, nothing would be capable of escaping a black hole's surface, including light[2], confirming that light is affected by gravity (statement 1). The general theory of relativity has stood the test of time and experimentation to become the basis of modern cosmological theory.[3] This theory provides the framework for understanding the universe's expansion. Observations of the motions of galaxies have shown that some 70% the Universe seems to be composed of a strange 'dark energy' that is driving the Universe's accelerating expansion[4], which is understood through Einstein's relativistic framework (statement 2). Therefore, all three statements are correct predictions of General Relativity.

Sources
  1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Einstein's Theory of General Relativity > p. 5
  2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Explanation: > p. 7
  3. [4] https://www.nature.com/news/2005/050328/full/news050328-8.html
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Q. Consider the following phenomena : 1. Light is affected by gravity. 2. The Universe is constantly expanding. 3. Matter warps its surround…
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Origin: Mixed / unclear origin Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 0/10
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This question rode the wave of the 2017 Nobel Prize for Gravitational Waves (LIGO). While Statements 1 and 3 are textbook definitions of General Relativity (GR), Statement 2 is a conceptual trap: Einstein initially rejected expansion (adding the Cosmological Constant), but his own math (Friedmann equations) predicted it before Hubble observed it. UPSC rewarded the mathematical truth over the historical anecdote.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is light being affected by gravity a prediction of Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Explanation: > p. 7
Presence: 5/5
“• A singularity (gravitational singularity or (spacetime singularity) is a condition in which gravity is so intense that spacetime ceases to exist and our laws of physics become invalid. Singularities were first predicated as a result of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, which resulted in the theoretical existence of black holes. • In essence, the theory also predicted that any star reaching beyond a certain point in its mass (aka. the Schwarzschild Radius) would exert a gravitational force so intense that it would collapse. At this point, nothing would be capable of escaping its surface, including light. This phenomenon is known as the Chandrasekhar Limit, named after the Indian astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, who proposed it in 1930.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly links Einstein's General Theory of Relativity to singularities/black holes.
  • States that at the black hole limit 'nothing would be capable of escaping its surface, including light' — direct statement that gravity can prevent light escape.
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Einstein's Theory of General Relativity > p. 5
Presence: 4/5
“• In 1905, Albert Einstein determined that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers and that the speed of light in a vacuum was independent of the motion of all observers. As a result, he found that space and time were interwoven into a single continuum known as spacetime.• Events that occur at the same time for one observer could occur at different times for another. This was the theory of special relativity. In 1915, Einstein published his theory of general relativity. In it, he determined that massive objects distort spacetime, which is felt as gravity.”
Why this source?
  • States that in general relativity massive objects distort spacetime, which is felt as gravity.
  • This spacetime curvature is the mechanism by which GR would alter the path/behavior of light (implied by the distortion statement).
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > 2.7. Heliopause — The Boundary? > p. 38
Presence: 2/5
“• What defines the boundary of the solar system? Sun's light? The influence of the Sun's gravity? Or the influence of the Sun's magnetic field & the solar wind? There is no definite boundary where the light or gravity stops or where they suddenly get weaker. The solar wind is however different from light or gravity. As it streams away from the Sun, it races out against the interstellar medium ― space between the stars permeated by hydrogen and helium gas).• Even though the interstellar medium has a low density, it still has a pressure (similar to air pressure). The solar wind also has pressure.”
Why this source?
  • Discusses Sun's light and the influence of the Sun's gravity as long-range influences, treating light and gravity together.
  • Provides weaker contextual support that light and gravity are interacting influences around astronomical bodies.
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