The development and acceptance of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity were not immediate for several reasons:
Complexity and Novelty: General relativity introduced a significant departure from classical physics, requiring a new mathematical framework and conceptual understanding of gravity. The theory involved complex mathematics and was a departure from the well-established Newtonian physics that had been successfully used for centuries. It took time for scientists to fully grasp the intricacies and implications of general relativity.
Experimental Verification: Like any scientific theory, general relativity needed experimental confirmation to gain widespread acceptance. Einstein's theory made predictions that differed from those of classical physics in certain situations, such as the bending of light around massive objects and the precession of Mercury's orbit. However, these predictions were not easy to test and required precise measurements and observations that were challenging at the time.
Limited Technology: Experimental tests of general relativity required advanced technology and sophisticated measurements that were not readily available when Einstein proposed his theory in 1915. For example, the first successful measurement of the bending of starlight by the Sun during a solar eclipse took place in 1919, four years after the end of World War I.
Skepticism and Conservative Attitudes: New and groundbreaking theories often face skepticism and resistance from the scientific community. Einstein's ideas challenged deeply ingrained beliefs about space, time, and gravity. Some scientists were initially skeptical or resistant to accept general relativity until further evidence and experimental confirmation emerged.
Confirmation and Accumulation of Evidence: Over time, additional experimental evidence began to accumulate in support of general relativity. As more observations and measurements were conducted, such as the redshift of light in a gravitational field and the detection of gravitational waves, the theory gained increasing credibility and acceptance.
It's important to note that the scientific process involves rigorous scrutiny, testing, and validation of theories over time. The acceptance of a revolutionary theory like general relativity takes time as the scientific community examines and verifies its predictions through experimentation and further observations.