Test your knowledge with this general relativity quiz

The theory of relativity states that the speed of _____ is a constant.

A. Sound

B. Light

C. Planetary orbits

D. Magnetic attraction

B. Light. The theory of general relativity states that in a vacuum, the speed of light is independent to the motion of all observers.

C. Albert Einstein. Albert Einstein published the theory in 1915.

The theory of general relativity helps explain which natural phenomenon?

A. Gravity

B. Why the sky is blue

C. Magnetic fields

D. Electricity

A. Gravity. According to Einstein’s theory, massive objects like planets and stars create a “distortion” or “dent” in spacetime, like a heavy object placed on a blanket or trampoline. We experience this as gravity.

Which natural phenomena help confirm the theory of general relativity?

A. Solar eclipses

B. Gravitational waves

C. The orbits of stars around black holes

D. All of the above

D. All of the above. Over the last century, scientists have observed many natural phenomena that help confirm Einstein’s theory. Read more about it here.

True or False: General relativity can explain all observable phenomena in the cosmos.

A. True

B. False

C. It’s complicated

C. It’s complicated. Although scientists have confirmed the theory many times over, it doesn't explain every natural phenomena we encounter — especially those that occur on a very small scale, like in quantum physics.