Does gravity affect quantum mechanics?

Quantum gravity (QG) is a field of theoretical physics that seeks to describe gravity according to the principles of quantum mechanics, and where quantum effects cannot be ignored, such as in the vicinity of black holes or similar compact astrophysical objects, and where the effects of gravity are strong, such as …

Has graviton been detected?

Unambiguous detection of individual gravitons, though not prohibited by any fundamental law, is impossible with any physically reasonable detector. The reason is the extremely low cross section for the interaction of gravitons with matter.

Why quantum gravity is important?

Quantum gravity could help us answer important questions about the universe. For example, quantum effects play a role near black holes – objects so massive that not even light can escape their gravitational pull when emitted from within a certain radius, the black hole’s event horizon.

What can’t quantum mechanics explain?

Quantum mechanics cannot predict the exact location of a particle in space, only the probability of finding it at different locations. The brighter areas represent a higher probability of finding the electron.

Does quantum physics contradict relativity?

Special relativity demands a locality principle (no instantaneous action at a distance); locality implies Bell’s theorem; quantum mechanics violates Bell’s inequality, therefore, quantum mechanics contradicts relativity!

Will we ever find gravitons?

The graviton is said to be a massless, stable, spin-2 particle that travels at the speed of light. The graviton remains hypothetical, however, because at the moment, it’s impossible to detect.

What would happen if quantum mechanics were correct?

If quantum mechanics is correct and everything is in fuzzy motion constantly, then gravity wouldn’t work the way Einstein predicted. Space-time would also have to be constantly at odds with everything around it, and would act accordingly. Moreover, quantum mechanics said that you couldn’t — with any certainty — declare a set order.

Why can’t we reconcile quantum mechanics and general theory of relativity?

We can’t understand how quantum mechanics and the general theory of relativity could reconcile without first understanding how they — right now — do not. Because it turns out that neither one really works if the other is true. Einstein said that space-time is a smooth constant, and that only big things can warp it.

Why does gravity exist?

Which brings us to gravity. Indeed, general relativity wasn’t just Einstein patting Newton on the back and saying, “Yes, sir, gravity’s a thing!” Instead, Einstein gave us a reason for gravity — that the curvature of space-time made gravity exist, and made the universe act the way it did.

Why is Einstein’s theory of space-time so different from quantum mechanics?

Because it turns out that neither one really works if the other is true. Einstein said that space-time is a smooth constant, and that only big things can warp it. Quantum mechanics said that the smallest parts of the universe are constantly, dramatically fluctuating and changing.