Table of Contents
What if we find gravitons?
In string theory, believed to be a consistent theory of quantum gravity, the graviton is a massless state of a fundamental string. If it exists, the graviton is expected to be massless because the gravitational force has a very long range, and appears to propagate at the speed of light.
Do we need gravitons?
In the case of gravity, those particles are known as ‘gravitons’. Most theorists believe that gravitons must exist, because quantum theory has successfully explained every other force of nature. Quantum theory predicts that as gravity has an effectively infinite range, the graviton must have an incredibly low mass.
Does the graviton have mass?
Gravitons do indeed have mass, and their motions generate kinetic energy. Thus, they have both energy and mass, and they obey the law of conservation of energy and matter. If gravitons did not have mass there would be no physics that we could understand.
Will we ever control gravity?
The better news is that there is no science that says that gravity control is impossible. We are quite adept at controlling electromagnetic phenomena, so one can presume that such a connection might eventually lead to using our control of electromagnetism to control gravity.
Is a graviton dark matter?
But on larger scales, the internal motions of individual galaxies indicate the presence of more mass than we observe. Galaxies in clusters move around too quickly, while X-rays reveal an insufficient amount of normal matter. Gravitons are undefined as is dark matter. We know dark matter has gravity.
Why can gravitons escape black holes?
As such, gravity doesn’t escape from within the interior of the black hole: it’s simply caused by the hole’s presence. If black holes collide, however, the space-time surrounding them responds by producing ripples known as gravitational waves; but again they aren’t ‘escaping’ from within the black holes.
Why can’t we detect gravitons?
This means that any graviton detector must be incredibly massive and placed near a powerful source of gravitons. Calculations suggests that even a detector with the mass of Jupiter orbiting a bizarre object like a neutron star (a potential strong source of gravitons) would struggle to find anything.
Does gravity exist according to quantum theory?
But quantum theory describes all forces in terms of so-called ‘exchange particles’, flitting from place to place. In the case of gravity, those particles are known as ‘gravitons’. Most theorists believe that gravitons must exist, because quantum theory has successfully explained every other force of nature.
How does gravity work?
According to Einstein, matter distorts the very fabric of space and time around it, creating the effect of an attractive force field. But quantum theory describes all forces in terms of so-called ‘exchange particles’, flitting from place to place. In the case of gravity, those particles are known as ‘gravitons’.
How much lighter is gravity than an electron?
Studies of gravitational waves from colliding black holes suggest that the graviton must be at least a billion, billion, billion times lighter even than the electron. Gravity is also by far the most feeble fundamental force in nature.