Some Comments on the Tests of General Relativity

Abstract

A brief outline of the history of the discrepancies within Newtonian mechanics at the end of the nineteenth century is given. The framework of general relativity is described briefly and the famous 'tests' of general relativity are considered and alternative solutions discussed, with particular attention concentrating on the advance of the perihelion of the planet Mercury. The implications for the claims of relativity are discussed, all with reference to both pre and post 1915 publications.