UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 31
Consider the following phenomena :
- Light is affected by gravity.
- The Universe is constantly expanding.
- 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 ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D
Explanation: General relativity links gravitation to curved spacetime: it predicts light bending and allows expanding-universe solutions. Matter and energy determine spacetime curvature.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Correct - Light follows curved spacetime paths near massive bodies, producing gravitational lensing.
Statement/Item 2: Correct - Solutions of Einstein’s gravitational field equations describe an evolving/expanding universe, though he initially explored a static model.
Statement/Item 3: Correct - Matter and energy curve spacetime, central to the theory.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - omits correct statement/item 3.
B: Incorrect - omits correct statement/items 1, 2.
C: Incorrect - omits correct statement/item 2.
D: Correct - includes all and only the true statements/items.