Equivalence Principle

Hypothesis that the equivalence of gravitational and inertial mass is a law of nature — the foundation on which general relativity stands.

Specifications & Metrics

type

Foundations

originator

Albert Einstein

introduced

1907

Core Principles & Analysis

• The hypothesis that the observed equivalence of gravitational and inertial mass is a consequence of nature.
• Careful experiments have shown inertial and gravitational mass to be numerically equal and independent of the material composing the masses.
• The Eötvös experiment and its successors tested this equality to high precision.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Equivalence principle