Discussing General Relativity - Beliefs & Ideas

In summary, the conversation revolves around the topic of whether or not general relativity (GR) is the fundamental theory and the possibility of modifications to GR on a large scale. The discussion also touches on the notion of adding dark energy to the cosmological model and how it relates to GR being considered an effective theory. It is suggested that further discussions on theories that go beyond GR should be held in the Beyond the Standard Model forum or based on valid published papers. The conversation concludes with the suggestion to refer to GR textbooks for more information on going beyond GR.
  • #1
Jamestein Newton
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Following are not strictly physics questions. But cool questions to discuss.
We need to add dark energy to our cosmological model if we strictly follow GR. This lead to some beliefs that GR is an effective theory.

(1)Do you believe that GR is the fundamental theory? If GR is an effective theory on some senses, what kind of fundamental physics can we take away from GR at the end?
(2)Do you think the gravitation would still be equivalent to the curvature of spacetime eventually? If not, what are the possible modifications? I am interested in the alternative description of gravitation that even only differ a bit from the current equivalent to the curvature of spacetime
(3)Do you think we need will modification on GR under the large scale?
(4)What will the main consequences of any possible modifications, and what will they lead to?

Just an informal chat. I am just curious about how people perceive GR nowadays.
 
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  • #2
Jamestein Newton said:
Following are not strictly physics questions.
Indeed. Which means they are off topic here.

If you want to discuss particular proposals for theories that go beyond GR and have GR as an effective theory in a particular domain, those types of discussions would normally be in the Beyond the Standard Model forum and would be based on a particular valid reference (a published peer-reviewed paper that describes the proposed theory you want to discuss).

Some GR textbooks (such as MTW and Wald) also have discussions of how we might possibly go beyond GR. A PF discussion could also be based on what is said in those textbooks if you have questions about it.

In the meantime, this thread is closed.
 
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1. What is General Relativity?

General Relativity is a theory of gravity developed by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century. It describes the force of gravity as a curvature of space and time caused by the presence of massive objects.

2. How does General Relativity differ from Newton's theory of gravity?

Newton's theory of gravity describes the force of gravity as a force of attraction between two objects with mass. General Relativity, on the other hand, describes gravity as a curvature of space and time caused by the presence of massive objects. It also accounts for the effects of gravity on the motion of light and other objects, which Newton's theory does not.

3. What evidence supports the validity of General Relativity?

There is a significant amount of evidence that supports the validity of General Relativity. Some of the most compelling evidence includes the bending of light around massive objects, the gravitational redshift of light, and the precession of the orbit of Mercury. Additionally, General Relativity has been tested and confirmed through numerous experiments and observations.

4. Are there any limitations to General Relativity?

While General Relativity is a highly successful theory, there are some limitations to its applicability. For example, it does not account for the behavior of particles at the quantum level. Additionally, it does not include the effects of other fundamental forces, such as the strong and weak nuclear forces.

5. How does General Relativity impact our understanding of the universe?

General Relativity has had a significant impact on our understanding of the universe. It has provided a more accurate description of the force of gravity and has allowed scientists to make predictions about the behavior of objects in the universe. It has also played a crucial role in the development of other theories, such as the Big Bang theory, which describes the origin and evolution of the universe.

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