Misc,
Was Einstein Right? Testing Relativity at the Centenary
(April 2005)
Abstract
We review the experimental evidence for Einstein's special and general
relativity. A variety of high precision null experiments verify the weak
equivalence principle and local Lorentz invariance, while gravitational
redshift and other clock experiments support local position invariance.
Together these results confirm the Einstein Equivalence Principle which
underlies the concept that gravitation is synonymous with spacetime geometry,
and must be described by a metric theory. Solar system experiments that test
the weak-field, post-Newtonian limit of metric theories strongly favor general
relativity. The Binary Pulsar provides tests of gravitational-wave damping and
of strong-field general relativity. Recently discovered binary pulsar systems
may provide additional tests. Future and ongoing experiments, such as the
Gravity Probe B Gyroscope Experiment, satellite tests of the Equivalence
principle, and tests of gravity at short distance to look for extra spatial
dimensions could constrain extensions of general relativity. Laser
interferometric gravitational-wave observatories on Earth and in space may
provide new tests of gravitational theory via detailed measurements of the
properties of gravitational waves.
