Super Gravity Theory & Metric: Explained Simply

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Royce
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravity Theory
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Super Gravity Theory (SUGRA) and the concept of "the metric" as mentioned in a book by Hawking and Penrose. Participants seek clarification on these topics, exploring their definitions and implications within the context of theoretical physics, particularly in relation to relativity and quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in understanding the concepts presented in the book by Hawking and Penrose, specifically asking for a basic explanation of Super Gravity Theory and the metric.
  • Another participant questions whether Super Gravity Theory combines relativity with quantum mechanics.
  • A third participant notes that the book discusses singularities and involves both relativity and quantum mechanics, suggesting a connection between these fields.
  • A later reply provides a brief explanation of SUGRA, describing it as a gauge field theory that combines multiple fields into a super-multiplet and highlighting its property of supersymmetry, which relates fermions and bosons. It also mentions the inclusion of gravitons and references the mathematical beauty of 11-dimensional SUGRA and its relation to M theory.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not reach a consensus on the definitions or implications of Super Gravity Theory and the metric, with multiple viewpoints and questions remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions and relationships between Super Gravity Theory, the metric, and their connections to relativity and quantum mechanics. There are also references to different interpretations and types of SUGRA without definitive conclusions.

Royce
Messages
1,545
Reaction score
0
I'm reading a book by Hawking and Penrose. I'm afraid it is a bit beyound me; but, I am getting the jist or is it jest of their thoughts, I think. In the book Hawking memtioned the Super Gravity Theory. I've run across it before but don't know what it is. Can someone briefly and basically explain it to me? One of the other of the many things I'm not sure about that is mentioned both in the book and here in this forum in other threads in "The Metric."
Can someone define the metric again briefly and basically to me?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
does it combine relativity with quantum mechanics?
 
Don't know. The book is "The Nature of Space and Time." It's is a dialog of lectures about singularities and certainly involves relativity and Quantum Machanics.
 
In nut shell SUGRA is a kind of gauge field theory with many different fields combined as a one field, called super-multiplet. "super" is from the fact that the theory has a property called supersymmetry - it is a symmetry between fermion and bosons. "Gravity" part is from the fact that the theory has graviton in it. There are many different kinds of possible SUGRA. Arguably the most beautiful one is 11 dimensional SUGRA for its mathematical beauty and uniqueness. Also, recently it is considered as a low energy limit of not-yet -known M theory.

Instanton
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
30K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
7K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
6K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K