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general relativity

general relativity

9 6.7
A scientific theory that says gravity is the bending of space and time by heavy things like stars and planets
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnərəl rɪˈlætɪvɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : relatividad general
  • Einstein's theory of general relativity explains how massive objects curve spacetime, influencing the motion of planets.
  • general relativity theory
  • predictions of general relativity
  • tests of general relativity

But now we know in advance that general relativity has these limits.

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Examples

  • The measured points lie smack dab on the path laid down by general relativity.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Now our best theory of gravity is still Einstein's theory of general relativity, which says that that heavy objects, massive things curve space itself.

  • You said that general relativity is the most beautiful theory ever so far.

  • But as I said, general relativity is hard.

  • But now we know in advance that general relativity has these limits.

  • First, though, we review the current status of tests of general relativity.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Now this is the general relativity description of this expanding space.

  • What's the next big prediction made by general relativity that scientists are testing?

  • Sciama called it the most important contribution to general relativity since the theory was formulated.

    Academic text (1991)
  • That's what Einstein's general relativity says, is that gravity actually is just the curvature of space.

Synonyms

general theory of relativity
vsgeneral relativity
  • Specialized
3 6.8

A scientific idea that says gravity happens because space and time bend

uses the single word spelling for space and time
Einstein's general theory of relativity
vsgeneral relativity
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A theory by Albert Einstein that explains gravity as the bending of space and time

is the general theory without the specific date mention
general relativity theory
vsgeneral relativity
  • Specialized
8.1

Explains gravity as the bending of space and time by heavy objects

focuses on curvature of space and time instead of that principle

Surface Forms

Morphology

general + relativity

The phrase is compositionally formed (modifier + noun): knowing 'relativity' as a scientific theory and 'general' as 'broad/extended' lets a learner infer this denotes a broader/extended form of relativity. However, the technical content (that it concerns gravity and curvature of spacetime) and historical/theoretical details are not derivable from the parts alone, so the full meaning is not predictable without prior domain knowledge.

Etymology

General relativity gets its name from two ideas: relativity, the idea that motion can look different to different people, and general, because Einstein made the rule work for all situations, even when gravity is strong. He pictured heavy objects bending space and time like a ball on a stretched sheet so smaller things roll toward the dip. So General relativity means the theory that explains 'gravity' as curved space and time.