Experiment to Determine if Spacetime is Granular

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    Granular Spacetime
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around an experiment aimed at determining whether spacetime is granular, exploring implications for fundamental physics, particularly in relation to Einstein's theory of special relativity. The scope includes theoretical implications, experimental design, and the relevance of causal set theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the experiment could provide insights into the granularity of spacetime and its implications for fundamental physics.
  • There is a question regarding the timeline for conducting the experiment, indicating uncertainty about its implementation.
  • Some participants introduce causal set theory (CST) as a relevant framework, noting its interesting but unconventional nature in the context of quantum gravity.
  • One participant emphasizes that the experiment is not expected to yield definitive answers but rather to gather more information about the nature of spacetime.
  • Another participant highlights the clash between the hypothesis of a fundamental unit of spacetime and Einstein's theory of special relativity as a significant issue in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the implications of the experiment and the relevance of causal set theory, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions underlying the granularity hypothesis and its implications for established theories, as well as unresolved questions about the experiment's design and outcomes.

wolram
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May be this experiment will be able tell us soon
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160422115329.htm

One of the problems to be solved in this respect is that if space-time is granular beyond a certain scale it means that there is a "basic scale," a fundamental unit that cannot be broken down into anything smaller, a hypothesis that clashes with Einstein's theory of special relativity.
 
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How long do think it'll take before they actually carry out the experiment?
 
Causal set theory is an extension of set theory as originally formulated by Gregor Cantor. Alan Connes is largely credited with its modern incarnation. It remains a very interesting approach to quantum gravity.
 
wolram said:
May be this experiment will be able tell us soon
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160422115329.htm

One of the problems to be solved in this respect is that if space-time is granular beyond a certain scale it means that there is a "basic scale," a fundamental unit that cannot be broken down into anything smaller, a hypothesis that clashes with Einstein's theory of special relativity.

This experiment will not give any kind of answer, it is intended to deduct more information.

This "problem to be solved" is the biggest problem in physics.
 

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