Consider the following statements regarding Gravitational lensing 1. Gravitational lensing describes the fact that light is deflected by large masses in the universe. 2. The more massive the object, the stronger its gravitational field and hence the greater the bending of light rays. 3. Lensing, however, cannot be used to verify the existence of Dark Matter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding Gravitational lensing 1. Gravitational lensing describes the fact that light is deflected by large masses in the universe. 2. The more massive the object, the stronger its gravitational field and hence the greater the bending of light rays. 3. Lensing, however, cannot be used to verify the existence of Dark Matter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Correct Answer 1 and 2 only

The correct answer is Option 2, i.e 1 and 2 only.

Key Points

  • Gravitational lensing is an effect of Einstein’s theory of general relativity – simply put, mass bends light.
  • Gravitational lensing describes the fact that light is deflected by large masses in the universe, just like a glass lens will bend a light right on Earth. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The more massive the object, the stronger its gravitational field and hence the greater the bending of light rays – just like using denser materials to make optical lenses results in a greater amount of refraction. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Gravitational lensing is useful to cosmologists because it is directly sensitive to the amount and distribution of dark matter.
  • Lensing can help astronomers work out exactly how much dark matter there is in the Universe as a whole and also how it is distributed. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
  • Lensing has also been used to help verify the existence of dark matter itself.

Related Questions

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.
Most economists in the United States seem captivated by the spell of the free market. Consequently, nothing seems good or normal that does notaccord with the requirements of the free market. A price that is determined by the seller or, for that matter (for that matter: so far as that isconcerned), established by anyone other than the aggregate of consumers seems pernicious. Accordingly, it requires a major act of will to thinkof price-fixing (the determination of prices by the seller) as both "normal" and having a valuable economic function. In fact, price-fixing is normalin all industrialized societies because the industrial system itself provides, as an effortless consequence of its own development, the price-fixingthat it requires. Modern industrial planning requires and rewards great size. Hence, a comparatively small number of large firms will be competingfor the same group of consumers. That each large firm will act with consideration of its own needs and thus avoid selling its products for morethan its competitors charge is commonly recognized by advocates of free-market economic theories. But each large firm will also act with fullconsideration of the needs that it has in common with the other large firms competing for the same customers. Selling a commodity at a price that is not more than that charged by competitors is -
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.
Most economists in the United States seem captivated by the spell of the free market. Consequently, nothing seems good or normal that does notaccord with the requirements of the free market. A price that is determined by the seller or, for that matter (for that matter: so far as that isconcerned), established by anyone other than the aggregate of consumers seems pernicious. Accordingly, it requires a major act of will to thinkof price-fixing (the determination of prices by the seller) as both "normal" and having a valuable economic function. In fact, price-fixing is normalin all industrialized societies because the industrial system itself provides, as an effortless consequence of its own development, the price-fixingthat it requires. Modern industrial planning requires and rewards great size. Hence, a comparatively small number of large firms will be competingfor the same group of consumers. That each large firm will act with consideration of its own needs and thus avoid selling its products for morethan its competitors charge is commonly recognized by advocates of free-market economic theories. But each large firm will also act with fullconsideration of the needs that it has in common with the other large firms competing for the same customers.
What does not seem as not good or normal in the context of this essay?
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.
Most economists in the United States seem captivated by the spell of the free market. Consequently, nothing seems good or normal that does notaccord with the requirements of the free market. A price that is determined by the seller or, for that matter (for that matter: so far as that isconcerned), established by anyone other than the aggregate of consumers seems pernicious. Accordingly, it requires a major act of will to thinkof price-fixing (the determination of prices by the seller) as both "normal" and having a valuable economic function. In fact, price-fixing is normalin all industrialized societies because the industrial system itself provides, as an effortless consequence of its own development, the price-fixingthat it requires. Modern industrial planning requires and rewards great size. Hence, a comparatively small number of large firms will be competingfor the same group of consumers. That each large firm will act with consideration of its own needs and thus avoid selling its products for morethan its competitors charge is commonly recognized by advocates of free-market economic theories. But each large firm will also act with fullconsideration of the needs that it has in common with the other large firms competing for the same customers. Who, according to the economists, are the right group of people to set the price of a commodity?