Quantum mechanics and relativity

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the compatibility of general relativity (GR) and quantum mechanics (QM) within the context of a unified theory. Participants explore the implications of quantum entanglement and the challenges of integrating gravity into quantum field theory, as well as the conditions under which both theories are applicable.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that GR and QM cannot both be correct if a unified theory exists, questioning whether this is due to quantum entanglement suggesting faster-than-light travel.
  • Others argue that quantum entanglement does not involve anything traveling faster than light, as it does not allow for the transmission of information at superluminal speeds.
  • A later reply emphasizes the challenge of incorporating gravity into a framework that resembles quantum field theory, particularly in extreme conditions like the big bang or inside black holes.
  • One participant suggests that it may be more accurate to describe the issue as one of completeness rather than correctness, noting that both QM and GR yield accurate results within their respective domains.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the incompatibility between GR and QM, with no consensus reached on the specific reasons for this conflict or the implications of quantum entanglement.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding how GR and QM can coexist, particularly in extreme scenarios where both theories are expected to apply, but currently do not integrate well.

johann1301
Messages
216
Reaction score
1
After what i have heard, General relativity and quantum mechanics can't both be correct if there is a unified theory.

Is this because quantum entanglement propose that "something" is traveling faster than light or is it something else?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
johann1301 said:
After what i have heard, General relativity and quantum mechanics can't both be correct if there is a unified theory.

Is this because quantum entanglement propose that "something" is traveling faster than light or is it something else?

It has nothing to do with that. Quantum entanglement does not break the speed of light because nothing is traveling! In fact, there have been several threads discussing why you cannot use this phenomenon to send faster than light signals.

The problem arises in the difficulty we have so far to incorporate gravity into something that resembles our description of quantum field theory.

Zz.
 
Thanks:)
 
johann1301 said:
After what i have heard, General relativity and quantum mechanics can't both be correct if there is a unified theory.

It might be better to say "complete" rather than "correct". Both QM and GR have proven quite capable of delivering correct results everywhere that they're applicable. A unified theory will have to agree with them everywhere that they're applicable, but will also (we hope) deliver results in areas where neither GM nor QM do so today.
 
The main difficulty is that where QM and GR both apply (at big bang or inside black hole) they won't work together.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Universal quantum physics
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
Graduate Multi-scale Decoherence and the Quantum-to-Classical Transition
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate Consistency of Relativistic QM
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Graduate Thoughts on neural networks "discovering" physical concepts
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad How can Bohmian mechanics explain entanglement?
  • · Replies 57 ·
2
Replies
57
Views
5K
Undergrad What if unification does not work?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
5K
Quantum Quantum Textbook For Density Matrix, Pure & Mixed States, +more
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Lagrangian Mechanics, Continuous Particle Paths and QFT
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Insights How Quantum Information Theory Solves “the only mystery” of Quantum Mechanics
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Graduate Challenge to Bohmian mechanics by Sharoglazova et al, Nature, 2025
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K