Consider the following statements regarding Gravitational waves. Gravi...
Gravitational Waves
- Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space and time that travel at the speed of light. They are created by the motion of massive objects, such as black holes or neutron stars, which generate gravitational waves when they orbit or collide with each other.
The science behind Gravitational waves:
- According to Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity (1916), any object with mass warps the space-time around it. When two massive objects orbit each other or collide, they produce ripples or waves in space-time that propagate outward at the speed of light.
- Gravitational waves are extremely weak and difficult to detect. They were first directly detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015, a century after they were predicted by Einstein’s theory.
Consider the following statements regarding Gravitational waves. Gravi...
Gravitational waves are a fascinating phenomenon predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. They are ripples in the fabric of space and time that propagate at the speed of light. In recent years, the detection of gravitational waves has opened up a new window to observe and study the universe.
Let's analyze each statement to determine its correctness:
1. Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space and time that travel at the speed of light.
- This statement is correct. According to Einstein's theory, gravitational waves are disturbances in the curvature of spacetime that propagate outward from their source at the speed of light. These waves carry energy and momentum and cause the stretching and squeezing of space as they pass through.
2. They are created by the motion of black holes or neutron stars.
- This statement is correct. Gravitational waves can be generated by the motion of massive objects with strong gravitational fields. Black holes and neutron stars, due to their extreme densities and compactness, are particularly efficient sources of gravitational waves. When these objects accelerate or undergo violent events such as mergers, they emit gravitational waves that propagate through space.
3. Gravitational waves are extremely weak and difficult to detect.
- This statement is also correct. Gravitational waves are incredibly weak compared to other forces in nature. As they pass through space, their effect on matter is minuscule, making their detection a monumental challenge. To detect gravitational waves, scientists have built highly sensitive instruments called interferometers, such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). These detectors can measure tiny changes in the distance between two test masses caused by the passing gravitational waves.
Based on the analysis, we can conclude that all three statements are correct:
c) All three
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.