Gravitational Potential of a Chargeless Particle Confined in a Box | Einstone

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the gravitational potential of a chargeless particle confined in a box, particularly when the particle is in a stationary state. Participants explore the relationship between gravitational potential, wavefunctions, and the implications of quantum mechanics on gravitational fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Einstone questions the gravitational potential of a chargeless particle in a stationary state within a box.
  • Daniel provides a formula for gravitational potential, suggesting it is defined at the origin of a coordinate system.
  • Einstone clarifies that the term 'particle' should refer to a 'microparticle' and notes that a box simplifies the wavefunctions.
  • Daniel challenges the relevance of wavefunctions to the gravitational potential of the particle itself.
  • Einstone inquires how the potential inside the box is determined, suggesting it should depend on the wavefunction.
  • Daniel asserts that the potential is typically given, and wavefunctions are derived from it, referencing Schrödinger's equation.
  • Zz emphasizes that the wavefunction is dependent on the potential, not the other way around, reinforcing the order of solving the Schrödinger equation.
  • Einstone questions whether a particle interacts with its own gravitational field and reflects on the implications of this interaction.
  • Daniel states that in classical theory, particles can interact with their own gravitational field, while reiterating the Newtonian potential.
  • A participant discusses the lack of proper equations or theories to describe the gravitational field generated by a quantum particle, referencing a work by R. Wald.
  • Einstone expresses confusion over the absence of a consistent theory for combining quantum mechanics with gravitational fields.
  • Daniel explains that while both Dirac's equation and general relativity are valid theories, they cannot be easily combined without specific conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between gravitational potential and wavefunctions, with no consensus reached on how to properly describe the gravitational potential of a quantum particle. There are competing perspectives on the interaction of particles with their own gravitational fields and the theoretical frameworks necessary for such descriptions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in existing theories and equations regarding the gravitational potential generated by quantum particles, highlighting unresolved issues in combining quantum mechanics with classical gravity.

einstone
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What is the gravitational potential produced by a chargeless particle confined in a box if the particle is in a stationary state ( for the nonce,in the lowest energy state)?
Thanking you,
Einstone.
 
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[tex]V=-\frac{Gm}{r}[/tex],if the particle in the origin of a system of coordinates.

Daniel.

P.S.Why...?What's the "box" catch...?
 
Oh, I owe you an apology. It was remiss of me to have said 'a particle'
insted of a 'microparticle' in the question. I reckon the choice of a box would produce the simplest possible wavefunctions.
Thanking you,
Einstone.
 
What do wavefunctions have to do with the gravitational potential created by the same particle (and not by another body)...?

Daniel.
 
How is the potential at a point inside the box determined? It should depend
upon the wavefunction.
Thank you for the reply.
I'm, with great respect,
Einstone.
 
Surprise.Usually,the potential is GIVEN...The wavefunction's is computed knowing the potential and usually not viceversa.That's because you cannot know wavefunctions through other method,than solving Schrödinger's eq.which assumes knowing the potential...:wink:

Daniel.
 
einstone said:
How is the potential at a point inside the box determined? It should depend
upon the wavefunction.
Thank you for the reply.
I'm, with great respect,
Einstone.

Er.. if this "wavefunction" that you are talking about is the solution to the Schrödinger equation, then you have put the tail in front of the donkey. It is the wavefuction that is dependent on the potential, NOT the other way around. You don't find the solution to the differential equation and THEN write down the differential equation. And if you look at the Schrödinger equation that you have to solve, the "V" in there IS exactly the potential. Only after you know what V is, do you get the wavefunction.

Zz.
 
Thank you for the replies.
Does the particle interact with its own gravitational field ( which is
present even in absence of any other potential)? If not, what is the gravitational field produced by it?
So daffy of me to have forgotten about the gravitation & thought that the particle was free! Then I went on to find the wavefunction & calculate the potential.
 
Of course,in the CLASSICAL theory of GR,just in CED,particles can interact with their own gravity field.

In the Newtonian theory,i've already told you what the potential is.

Daniel.
 
  • #10
einstone said:
What is the gravitational potential produced by a chargeless particle confined in a box if the particle is in a stationary state ( for the nonce,in the lowest energy state)?
As already mentioned, you can describe a particle inside a gravitational potential making use of the Schrödinger equation. However, if you want to describe the gravitational field or gravitational potential generated by quantum particle you have no proper equations nor a theory to do that. In chapter 14 of R. Wald's "General Relativity", a simple argument is given why this cannot work with the current physics (a "quantum" particle and "classical" gravitation): The (classical) gravitational field should spread according to the particles' wavefunction. The instantaneous wavefunction collapse would lead to a superluminal propagation of the changes of the field. To describe this properly a quantum field theory for gravitation (or quantum gravity) would be needed in which the superposition principle would be also valid for the gravitational field.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
hellfire said:
However, if you want to describe the gravitational field or gravitational potential generated by quantum particle you have no proper equations nor a theory to do that.
Good Heavens! Never mind the equations, but is there not even a consistent theory? I thought I'd solve the problem & generalise it step by step to include Relativistic Gravitation ,then Dirac's equation & ...!
How, then, do all the theories give correct answers?
 
  • #12
Only as partial theories.If u want to mix gravity & Dirac fields,end up with Sugra N=1,okay,but you can do that:
1.In the free falling frame.
2.The field theory is not renormalizable under quantization,...

But of course,both Dirac & GR are perfectly valid theories,on THEIR OWN...

Daniel.
 
  • #13
I Love This Forum! I learn more from this site than from any classroom! :biggrin:
 

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