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robousy
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How do we know that a graviton has to be spin 2?
A graviton is a hypothetical particle that is believed to be the carrier of the force of gravity. Its spin, or intrinsic angular momentum, is important because it determines how the particle interacts with other particles and fields.
Spin is measured in units of Planck's constant (h) divided by 2π. It is represented by the quantum number s, with s=0, 1/2, 1, 3/2, etc. Higher values of spin indicate particles with more angular momentum.
A spin of 2 for a graviton means that it is a boson, or a particle with integer spin. This indicates that gravitons have an even number of half-integer spins, making them different from other known particles like fermions.
The spin of a graviton is difficult to measure because it is an extremely small and elusive particle. Gravitons are believed to be massless and travel at the speed of light, making them nearly impossible to detect and measure directly.
Understanding the spin of a graviton can help us better understand how gravity works at a fundamental level. It can also help us reconcile the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics, which are currently at odds with each other when it comes to explaining the force of gravity.