Theoretical Motivation For General Relativity

A Theoretical motivation for general relativity, including the motivation for the geodesic equation and the Einstein field equation, can be obtained from special relativity by examining the dynamics of particles in circular orbits about the earth. A key advantage in examining circular orbits is that it is possible to know the solution of the Einstein Field Equation a priori. This provides a means to inform and verify the formalism.

General relativity addresses two questions:

  1. How does the curvature of spacetime affect the motion of matter?
  2. How does the presence of matter affect the curvature of spacetime?

The former question is answered with the geodesic equation. The second question is answered with the Einstein field equation. The geodesic equation and the field equation are related through a principle of least action. The motivation for the geodesic equation is provided in the section Geodesic equation for circular orbits The motivation for the Einstein field equation is provided in the section Stress-energy tensor

General relativity
Introduction
Mathematical formulation
Resources · Tests
Fundamental concepts Special relativity
Equivalence principle
World line · Riemannian geometry
Phenomena Kepler problem · Lenses · Waves
Frame-dragging · Geodetic effect
Event horizon · Singularity
Black hole
Equations Linearized gravity
Post-Newtonian formalism
Einstein field equations
Geodesic equation
Friedmann equations
ADM formalism
BSSN formalism
Hamilton–Jacobi–Einstein equation
Advanced theories Kaluza–Klein
Quantum gravity
Solutions Schwarzschild
Reissner–Nordström · Gödel
Kerr · Kerr–Newman
Kasner · Taub-NUT · Milne · Robertson–Walker
pp-wave · van Stockum dust
Scientists Einstein · Lorentz · Hilbert · Poincare · Schwarzschild · Sitter · Reissner · Nordström · Weyl · Eddington · Friedman · Milne · Zwicky · Lemaître · Gödel · Wheeler · Robertson · Bardeen · Walker · Kerr · Chandrasekhar · Ehlers · Penrose · Hawking · Taylor · Hulse · Stockum · Taub · Newman · Yau · Thorne
others
Spacetime Spacetime
Minkowski spacetime
Spacetime diagrams
Spacetime in General relativity

Read more about Theoretical Motivation For General Relativity:  Einstein Field Equation, Solving The Einstein Field Equation, Solving The Geodesic Equation, Electrodynamics in Curved Spacetime, See Also

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