In astronomy, the theory of general relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein, has significant explanatory power. This prediction has been confirmed through numerous observations and experiments, demonstrating the theory's ability to accurately explain and predict complex astronomical phenomena. Why is this an example of explanatory power in a scientific hypothesis?

Question

In astronomy, the theory of general relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein, has significant explanatory power. This prediction has been confirmed through numerous observations and experiments, demonstrating the theory's ability to accurately explain and predict complex astronomical phenomena. Why is this an example of explanatory power in a scientific hypothesis?
a.It has accurately predicted complex astronomical phenomena. 
b. It is based on mathematical calculations, which are always accurate. 
c. It has been proven true in every experiment conducted. 
d.It has been accepted by the scientific community for a long time.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The correct answer is **a. It has accurately predicted complex astronomical phenomena.** Explanatory power in a scientific hypothesis refers to its ability to effectively explain and predict a wide range of phenomena. In the case of general relativity, its predictions about gravitational effects, the bending of light around massive objects, and the behavior of time in gravitational fields have been confirmed by various observations, showcasing its strong explanatory capacity.