Who developed the theory of relativity? A) Isaac Newton B) Albert Einstein C) Galileo Galilei D) Niels Bohr
VerifiedAnswer: B) Albert Einstein
Explanation:
Albert Einstein is the brilliant physicist who developed the theory of relativity, which actually consists of two interconnected theories that revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. This groundbreaking work established Einstein as one of the most influential scientists in history.
Einstein first introduced the Special Theory of Relativity in 1905, which deals with objects moving at constant speeds in straight lines. This theory gave us the famous equation E=mc², showing that mass and energy are interchangeable. It also revealed that time and space are relative, meaning they can appear different depending on how fast you're moving relative to something else.
Ten years later, in 1915, Einstein completed his General Theory of Relativity, which expanded his ideas to include gravity and acceleration. This theory describes gravity not as a force, but as a curvature in space-time caused by mass and energy. It predicted phenomena like black holes and gravitational waves, which have since been confirmed by modern observations.
Let's look at why the other options are incorrect. Isaac Newton developed the laws of motion and universal gravitation in the 17th century, which were revolutionary for their time but were later refined by Einstein's theories. Galileo Galilei, known as the father of modern science, made crucial discoveries about motion and astronomy in the 16th and 17th centuries, but lived long before relativity was conceived. Niels Bohr was a contemporary of Einstein who made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and atomic theory, but he didn't develop relativity.
Einstein's theories have practical applications in our daily lives. GPS satellites, for example, must account for relativistic effects to provide accurate location data. Without Einstein's corrections, GPS would be off by several miles! The theory also helps us understand the behavior of particles in accelerators and the evolution of the universe itself.
