What is the difference between general and special relativity?
A) General relativity applies to accelerating frames of reference and special relativity does not.
B) Special relativity is a special case for two frames of reference accelerating in opposite directions.
C) General relativity can only solve problems of time dilation and length contraction; special relativity can apply to problems of large mass and the speed of light.
D) Special relativity is much more complex than general relativity, requiring rigorous mathematical calculations to explain.
E) Physicists have been arguing over the difference since 1915 and have not come to a consensus yet.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

General relativity applies to both accelerating and non-accelerating frames of reference, while special relativity only applies to non-accelerating frames of reference.

Answer: B
 This statement is incorrect.

Answer: C
 This statement is incorrect. Both general and special relativity can solve problems of time dilation and length contraction, as well as problems relating to mass and the speed of light.

Answer: D
 This statement is incorrect. General relativity is typically considered more complex than special relativity, as it involves the concept of curved spacetime and is more difficult to visualize.

Answer: E
 This statement is incorrect. While physicists may debate the finer points of relativity, there is a general consensus on the differences between general and special relativity.

What Is the Difference Between General and Special Relativity