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Summary

• Principle of Equivalence
  • No experiment performed in one place can distinguish a gravitational field from an accelerated reference frame”
  • Einstein’s theory tested by experiments
  • Clocks run slow in presence of gravity (acceleration)
  • Extends Special theory of relativity to any reference frames
• General relativity
  • Took Einstein 16 years to extend special theory of relativity to any accelerating reference frame
• Gravitational mass is unified with inertial mass
  • Not a mysterious accident! A direct consequence of the theory!
• • No need for forces!
  • Replaced by curved space-time coupled to matter! More next time.
• Newton’s laws still work for everyday problems