The exchange particle for gravity: the graviton?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identification of the exchange particle for gravitational forces, specifically whether it is the graviton or the photon. Participants explore the discrepancies between educational materials, such as the EDEXCEL A-Level Physics markscheme, and their own understanding of fundamental interactions, including electromagnetic and weak forces.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the graviton is the exchange particle for gravitational forces, while others reference the EDEXCEL markscheme stating that the photon is the exchange particle for gravity.
  • One participant questions the validity of the markscheme, suggesting that it incorrectly associates the photon with gravitational interactions, which they believe should be related to electrostatic interactions between electrons.
  • Another participant notes that the specification for the topic does not mention the graviton, raising concerns about the accuracy of the markscheme.
  • There is a challenge regarding the classification of the photon as the exchange particle for weak interactions, with participants expressing that this statement is false.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the graviton or photon is the correct exchange particle for gravity. There are multiple competing views regarding the accuracy of educational materials and the definitions of fundamental interactions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in the educational materials, including missing definitions and unresolved claims about the roles of exchange particles in different fundamental interactions.

krnlg
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As far as I can see, the exchange particle involved in gravitational forces is the graviton. However, in the markscheme for both the original and revised EDEXCEL A-Level Physics PHY3 Topics Paper (topic C) it states that it is the photon.
Which is correct, or are both correct? Why is there this difference?

The question states: "List the other fundamental interactions. Circle the one for which the photon is the exchange particle."
The markscheme says Weak, Electromagnetic, Gravitational, Gravitational Circled.

I thought the photon was exchanged between two electrons interacting, which is what the Letts revision textbook says. Is this in fact a gravitational interaction? Surely its electrostatic!

Im guessing I should learn it to be the photon, but this seems strange as most other sources I've found say its the graviton - including the revision textbook which covers the EDEXCEL syllabus. :confused:

Can anyone help? :cry: Thanks! :biggrin:
 
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krnlg said:
As far as I can see, the exchange particle involved in gravitational forces is the graviton. However, in the markscheme for both the original and revised EDEXCEL A-Level Physics PHY3 Topics Paper (topic C) it states that it is the photon.
Which is correct, or are both correct? Why is there this difference?

The question states: "List the other fundamental interactions. Circle the one for which the photon is the exchange particle."
The markscheme says Weak, Electromagnetic, Gravitational, Gravitational Circled.

I thought the photon was exchanged between two electrons interacting, which is what the Letts revision textbook says. Is this in fact a gravitational interaction? Surely its electrostatic!

Im guessing I should learn it to be the photon, but this seems strange as most other sources I've found say its the graviton - including the revision textbook which covers the EDEXCEL syllabus. :confused:

Can anyone help? :cry: Thanks! :biggrin:

Your confusion is justified.

Gravitons, if they exist, is the hypthetical carrier of the gravitational interaction. Photons are the carrier of electromagnetic interactions. If your test is indicating that gravity is carrried by photons, then this is wrong. You should alert someone of authority about this error. If you get nowhere, or they simply dismiss you, write back.

Zz.
 
The specification for the topic doesn't mention the graviton at all. However it does still seem incorrect to use the photon instead. I have contacted EDEXCEL regarding this matter.
Thanks for the help :)
 
And what about Weak, is that circled too? Certainly the statement "The photon is the exchange particle for the Weak interaction" is false as it stands.
 
selfAdjoint said:
And what about Weak, is that circled too? Certainly the statement "The photon is the exchange particle for the Weak interaction" is false as it stands.

Only gravitational is circled.
 

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