Do string theories need gravitational radiation as in GR?

In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between string theory and gravitational radiation in the context of general relativity. While string theory can produce the Einstein Equations through a graviton particle, it is unclear if any versions of the theory include gravitational waves. The current attempts to detect gravitational waves are based on predictions from general relativity, but connections to string theory would be welcome. It is suggested that proving the existence of gravitons would require a highly sensitive wave detector.
  • #1
wolram
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do string theories need gravitational radiation as in GR?
 
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  • #2
People looked at string theory because it contained graviton/spin 2 excitations !
 
  • #3
maybe I am wrong but probes are not looking for "GRAVITON",
they are looking for" gravitational radiation", so if
this is found would it be adventageous to ST?
 
  • #4
Gravitational waves are a prediction of general relativity - an old one. String theories can produce the Einstein Equations via a graviton particle, but I don't know if any of the various versions of this include gravitational waves, or if the waves produced would differ in any experimantally detctable way from the ones predicted by GR.

The current attempts to detect the waves are driven by the GR predictions. connections to string theory would be unforeseen but welcome.
 
  • #5
As I understand it, the gravitational wave would be the average of very many gravitons, just as the electromagnetic wave is the average of a great many photons. So we would have to construct a wave detector sensitive enough to resolve quantum levels in the wave amplitudes to prove the existence of gravitons.
 
  • #6
thanks SA, i can now see where the theories diverge.
 

1. What is gravitational radiation in the context of string theories and GR?

Gravitational radiation refers to the emission of energy in the form of gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of space-time. In the context of string theories and general relativity (GR), gravitational radiation is a consequence of the curvature of space-time caused by massive objects, such as stars or black holes.

2. Are gravitational radiation and gravitational waves the same thing?

Yes, gravitational radiation and gravitational waves are often used interchangeably. Gravitational waves are the physical manifestation or "ripples" of gravitational radiation. However, some researchers may use the term "gravitational radiation" to refer specifically to the energy being emitted, rather than the waves themselves.

3. How does GR predict the existence of gravitational radiation?

In GR, gravity is described as the curvature of space-time caused by massive objects. When these objects accelerate or change direction, they create ripples in space-time, which we observe as gravitational waves. This prediction was confirmed by the detection of gravitational waves in 2015, providing strong evidence for the validity of GR.

4. Do string theories also predict the existence of gravitational radiation?

Yes, string theories do predict the existence of gravitational radiation. In fact, string theories incorporate the principles of GR and extend them to include the behavior of particles at the quantum level. This means that string theories also predict the existence of gravitational waves and their effects on the fabric of space-time.

5. Why is the study of gravitational radiation important in string theories?

The study of gravitational radiation in string theories is important because it allows researchers to test and validate the predictions of these theories. By studying the behavior of gravitational waves, scientists can gain a better understanding of the fundamental properties of space-time and the behavior of matter at the smallest scales. Additionally, the detection of gravitational waves can provide evidence for the existence of extra dimensions, which is a key aspect of string theories.

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