QM and Relativity: Can They Coexist in the Explanation of Gravity?

In summary, according to relativity, gravitational fields exist even if time stopped and changes would propagate as gravitational waves. However, in the new standard model, forces like gravity are carried by specific packets or virtual particles which travel distance over time, so if time stopped they would not be able to change virtual particles and thus gravitational fields wouldn't exist.
  • #1
questionpost
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In relativity, things like gravity are suppose to be time frame independent, i.e. even if time stopped they would still exist frozen as they did before since a gravitational field instantaneously correlates over the distance it covers.
However, in the new standard model, forces like gravity are carried in specific packets or virtual particles which travel distance over time, so if time stopped particles would not be able to change virtual particles and thus gravitational fields wouldn't exist.
 
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  • #2
questionpost said:
In relativity, things like gravity are suppose to be time frame independent, i.e. even if time stopped they would still exist frozen as they did before since a gravitational field instantaneously correlates over the distance it covers.
However, in the new standard model, forces like gravity are carried in specific packets or virtual particles which travel distance over time, so if time stopped particles would not be able to change virtual particles and thus gravitational fields wouldn't exist.

What?

In relativity, changes in geometry (i.e. in the gravitational field) propagate as gravitational waves at precisely the speed of light. Only in Newtonian gravity do such changes propagate instantaneously, and I have no idea what you mean about time stopping.

Now, the graviton is not part of the standard model of particle physics. You can say a little about what its properties should be, but it hasn't been incorporated in a consistent way, and doing so is extremely difficult. Again, I have no idea what you mean about time stopping (this never happens) and gravitational fields not existing.
 
  • #3
Nabeshin said:
What?

In relativity, changes in geometry (i.e. in the gravitational field) propagate as gravitational waves at precisely the speed of light. Only in Newtonian gravity do such changes propagate instantaneously, and I have no idea what you mean about time stopping.

Now, the graviton is not part of the standard model of particle physics. You can say a little about what its properties should be, but it hasn't been incorporated in a consistent way, and doing so is extremely difficult. Again, I have no idea what you mean about time stopping (this never happens) and gravitational fields not existing.

In relativity, the "spreading" or "change" in the fabric of space occurs at the speed of light but the indentation itself is "just there", however, even you have a black hole, a gravitational field still moves inside and outside of the event horizon without any trouble, and this is because of the time-frame independence, even though at the event horizon time should be stopped relative to an outside observer. So, if gravity was merely particles traveling distance over time, we shouldn't see gravity outside the black hole because all of the virtual particles would be stopped or "frozen in time" because of our outside relativity view. Or this should at least happen with electric fields if not gravitational fields.
 

1. How do quantum mechanics and relativity conflict with each other?

Quantum mechanics and relativity are two fundamental theories in physics that describe the behavior of matter and energy. However, they have some fundamental differences that lead to a conflict between the two. Quantum mechanics explains the behavior of subatomic particles, while relativity explains the behavior of large-scale objects. The main conflict arises in the way each theory describes space and time. In quantum mechanics, space and time are discrete, while in relativity, they are continuous. This fundamental difference leads to a conflict between the two theories.

2. Can quantum mechanics and relativity be reconciled?

Many scientists have attempted to reconcile quantum mechanics and relativity, but so far, no single theory has been able to fully explain both. Some theories, such as string theory, attempt to unify the two, but they are still under development and have not been fully tested or accepted by the scientific community. Other scientists believe that the two theories may be fundamentally incompatible and that a new, more comprehensive theory is needed to explain the behavior of the universe.

3. How does the conflict between quantum mechanics and relativity affect our understanding of the universe?

The conflict between quantum mechanics and relativity has led to some paradoxes and unanswered questions in our understanding of the universe. For example, the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics states that we can never know both the position and momentum of a particle at the same time. However, in relativity, the speed of light is constant, and this principle seems to contradict that. The conflict also affects our understanding of gravity and the behavior of matter in extreme conditions, such as black holes.

4. What are some proposed solutions to the conflict between quantum mechanics and relativity?

As mentioned earlier, some scientists propose the unification of the two theories through theories like string theory. Other proposed solutions include modifying one or both theories to make them compatible, or accepting that they may be fundamentally incompatible and developing a new theory to replace them. However, more research and experimentation are needed to determine the validity of these proposed solutions.

5. How does the conflict between quantum mechanics and relativity impact technological advancements?

The conflict between quantum mechanics and relativity has not hindered technological advancements in any significant way. Both theories have been extensively tested and proven to be accurate within their respective domains. Many modern technologies, such as GPS systems, rely on the principles of both theories to function. However, a better understanding and potential unification of the two theories could lead to even more groundbreaking advancements in the future.

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