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Relativity FAQ

Light passing near a massive object is bent because:

Spacetime is curved by mass. Massive bodies curve spacetime, so light follows bent null geodesics near them.

Short Answer

Spacetime is curved by mass is the best answer.

Relativity questions test whether space, time, energy, and simultaneity are being treated classically when they should not be. Start by deciding whether the question is special relativity, general relativity, or an observational consequence such as GPS timing.

Massive bodies curve spacetime, so light follows bent null geodesics near them.

Why This Answer Is Correct

This is a Easy-level question in Relativity. The prompt is really testing whether you can connect the concept to its defining physical relationship instead of picking a nearby-but-wrong term.

Most relativity mistakes come from mixing Newtonian intuition with relativistic invariants such as spacetime interval, proper time, or rest energy.

Choices At A Glance

  • A. Light has electric charge
  • B. Spacetime is curved by mass
  • C. Light slows to zero
  • D. Photons gain rest mass

When similar options appear on an exam, eliminate the ones that break the core law, use the wrong units, or confuse a definition with a consequence.

Topic Snapshot

Topic: Relativity

Difficulty: Easy

Best next move: Re-state the governing law in your own words, then solve one more example from the same topic before moving on.