How do we know Einstein has it right?

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We constantly say that Einstein’s General and Special theories of relativity have passed many different tests, insenuating their accuracy.

Before Einsten, we tested Isaac Newton’s theories, which also passed with accuracy until Einstein came along.

What’s to say another Einstein/Newton comes along 200-300 years from now to dispute Einstein’s theories?

Is that even possible or are his theories grounded in certainty at this point?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Newton’s theory was not quite right. People observed the behavior of mercury, for example, and were able to measure small discrepancies. One of the first confirmations of Einstein was the observations of mercury. At this point there are no discrepancies with general relativity that I know of. If a person comes up with a new theory I’m not sure what they will use to confirm it because everything we have been able to measure has been consistent with GR. The new theory will need to replicate GR exactly in many scenarios and only differ in ways we haven’t measured yet.

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