GR vs quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance

In summary: Is this one of the goals of quantum gravity?Mu. (The question is not well posed so it doesn't have a well-defined answer.)
  • #1
mieral
203
5
is spacetime Lorentz invariant like the quantum vacuum?

They say the quantum vacuum is Lorentz invariant.. you can't locate it at any place.. but if spacetime manifold is also Lorentz invariant and you can't locate it at any place.. how come the Earth can curve the spacetime around the Earth and not some exoplanet light years away.

And if spacetime is not Lorentz invariant like vacuum, then what are the limited invariance it obeys and how do you make it Lorentz invariant?
 
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  • #2
mieral said:
is spacetime Lorentz invariant like the quantum vacuum?

Spacetime is locally Lorentz invariant like the quantum vacuum, yes.

mieral said:
They say the quantum vacuum is Lorentz invariant.. you can't locate it at any place

That's not local Lorentz invariance, that's global translation invariance. Whether global translation invariance holds depends on the spacetime geometry; it's not an intrinsic property of the quantum vacuum.

mieral said:
how come the Earth can curve the spacetime around the Earth and not some exoplanet light years away

Because the spacetime geometry due to the Earth is not globally translation invariant; it looks different at different places.
 
  • #3
PeterDonis said:
Spacetime is locally Lorentz invariant like the quantum vacuum, yes.
That's not local Lorentz invariance, that's global translation invariance. Whether global translation invariance holds depends on the spacetime geometry; it's not an intrinsic property of the quantum vacuum.

a) What kind of spacetime geometry has global translation invariance?

b) Is the quantum vacuum inside spacetime? Or is spacetime inside the quantum vacuum?

c) One has global translation invariance.. the other hasn't. Shouldn't it be consistent they should have a symmetry much like electric/magnetic field, space/time, etc.?

d) Is there a transformation that can transform spacetime to quantum vacuum and quantum vacuum into spacetime.. is this one of the goals of quantum gravity?

Because the spacetime geometry due to the Earth is not globally translation invariant; it looks different at different places.
 
  • #4
mieral said:
What kind of spacetime geometry has global translation invariance?

Minkowski spacetime is the simplest example. If we limit it to space translations, any homogeneous spacetime, i.e., all of the FRW spacetimes used in cosmology.

mieral said:
Is the quantum vacuum inside spacetime? Or is spacetime inside the quantum vacuum?

Mu. (The question is not well posed so it doesn't have a well-defined answer.)

mieral said:
One has global translation invariance.. the other hasn't.

Where are you getting that from?

mieral said:
Is there a transformation that can transform spacetime to quantum vacuum and quantum vacuum into spacetime

I don't understand what such a thing would mean.
 

1. What is the difference between GR and quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance?

General Relativity (GR) is a classical theory that describes the gravitational interactions between massive objects, while quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance is a fundamental principle in quantum field theory that states that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers moving at constant velocities.

2. How does GR account for the curvature of spacetime?

GR explains the curvature of spacetime as a result of the presence of mass and energy. According to the theory, massive objects cause a curvature in the fabric of spacetime, which we perceive as the force of gravity.

3. What role does quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance play in our understanding of the universe?

Quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance is a fundamental principle that helps us understand the behavior of particles at the quantum level. It is a crucial component of the Standard Model of particle physics, which explains the interactions between particles and their fundamental properties.

4. Are there any conflicts between GR and quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance?

There are some unresolved conflicts between GR and quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance, particularly in the context of quantum gravity. GR is a classical theory, while quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance is a quantum principle, and attempts to combine the two have not yet been successful.

5. How do scientists study the effects of quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance on gravitational interactions?

Scientists study the effects of quantum vacuum Lorentz invariance on gravitational interactions through experiments and theoretical models. Some experiments involve studying the behavior of particles in extreme conditions, such as in particle accelerators, while others use observations from astrophysical phenomena, such as black holes, to test the limits of our current understanding.

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