I Does Space Curvature Account for Gravity Between Individual Atoms?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion explores the relationship between gravity and space-time curvature, questioning whether this curvature accounts for gravitational attraction at the atomic level. While gravity is fundamentally linked to spacetime curvature, its effects are often overshadowed by stronger forces in micro-scale interactions. Current models indicate that gravity is always a manifestation of spacetime curvature, but the application of this concept to quantum scales remains uncertain. General relativity fails to address gravity in the context of isolated atoms, and a comprehensive theory of quantum gravity is still lacking. The relevance of spacetime curvature in atomic interactions is still an open question in physics.
Martyn Arthur
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Gravity/space curvature in relation to the accretion of dust in the Solar System et al
I am trying to come to terms with the two concepts of gravity, direct attraction between bodies (say dust even) and attribution to the curvature of space (time)
Looking at a physical sea coast I can envisage how every instance of the mass gravitational interactions of individual atoms or smaller can be incorporated into the ebb and flow of the tide, albeit on a scale that I can't even start to envisage from such an observation.

Having regard to the way in which the curvature of space-time is attributed to the 'gravity' between 'massive' solar objects is space curvature deemed to account also for gravitational attraction twixt even individual atoms or smaller?

Thanks
Martyn
 
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On the micro scale there are generally other forces that are WAY stronger such that gravity is irrelevant but gravity IS spacetime curvature so ANY time gravity comes into play it is spacetime curvature.
 
Gravity is always spacetime curvature (not space curvature!) as it is currently modeled.

However, exactly how gravity works when the sources are small enough that quantum physics is important (such as an isolated atom) is not certain. General relativity can't do it and we don't yet have a working theory of quantum gravity. Depending on what that looks like, spacetime curvature may or may not turn out to be a useful model at that scale.
 
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