Consider the following phenomena:

1. Light is affected by gravity.
2. The Universe is constantly expanding.
3. 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?

Einstein's General Theory of Relativity has significant astrophysical implications. Here's a breakdown of each statement:

Statement 1: Light is affected by gravity.

• The theory predicts the existence of black holes, where space-time is so distorted that nothing, including light, can escape.
• The bending of light by gravity leads to gravitational lensing, where multiple images of a distant object are visible. Statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2: The Universe is constantly expanding.

• General relativity is the foundation for modern cosmological models that describe a consistently expanding universe.
• It also predicted the existence of gravitational waves, which have been directly observed. Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 3: Matter warps its surrounding space-time.

• Einstein's theory posits that gravity is caused by the warping of space and time (space-time) by matter. This is a core concept of the theory. Statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is that all three statements are predictions of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.

Hence, option d is the correct answer.

Sources:

• Wikipedia - General Relativity
• Einstein Online - Light Deflection
• Caltech - Kip Thorne