The discussion revolves around the nature of gravity waves and their relationship to the concept of gravitons within the framework of quantum gravity. Participants explore whether gravity waves are distortions of space-time that can be associated with the existence of gravitons, and the implications of treating space-time as a quantum field.
Participants express differing views on the relationship between gravity waves and gravitons, with some asserting a direct connection while others question the underlying assumptions about space-time as a quantum field. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views.
There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the quantization of gravity and the treatment of space-time as a quantum field, which are not fully explored in the discussion.
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"?