Gal said:Why is this wave not the distortion that creates a "graviton" like EM and photons?
Actually it is. Roughly speaking, a quantum description of gravity wave is called graviton.Gal said:If a mass bends space-time somehow and then I nudge it, the bend changes. This distortion of space-time bend is supposedly expanding at the speed of light and could be called a "gravity wave" that carries energy. Why is this wave not the distortion that creates a "graviton" like EM and photons?
But is space-time a quantum field? Do gravitons theoretically excite this "field"?Demystifier said:Actually it is. Roughly speaking, a quantum description of gravity wave is called graviton.
The metric of space-time can be treated as a quantum field, in which case gravitons are excitations of this field.Gal said:But is space-time a quantum field? Do gravitons theoretically excite this "field"?
Gravity waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time, caused by the acceleration of massive objects. These waves propagate outward at the speed of light, carrying energy and information about the source of the disturbance.
Gravity waves are fundamentally different from electromagnetic waves in that they are a result of the warping of space-time, while electromagnetic waves are disturbances in the electromagnetic field. Additionally, gravity waves are much harder to detect and have a much larger wavelength compared to electromagnetic waves.
Gravitons are hypothetical particles that are thought to be the carriers of the force of gravity. They are predicted by certain theories, such as string theory, but have not yet been observed or proven to exist.
Scientists use extremely sensitive instruments, such as interferometers, to detect the extremely tiny distortions in space-time caused by gravity waves. These instruments measure changes in the distance between two points as the waves pass through.
Studying gravity waves can provide a better understanding of the behavior of massive objects in space, such as black holes and neutron stars. It can also help us to develop new technologies, such as more precise and sensitive instruments, and potentially lead to advancements in our understanding of the universe and its origins.