Graviton Speed & Cherenkov Radiation Effects

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the speed of gravitons and the potential for a Cherenkov radiation-like effect involving gravitons. Participants explore theoretical implications and conditions necessary for such phenomena, focusing on gravitational waves and the nature of gravitational charge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that gravitons are hypothesized to travel at the speed of light (c).
  • There is uncertainty about the possibility of creating a medium where conditions for Cherenkov radiation could apply to gravitons, with some asserting that it is certain such a medium cannot exist due to the absence of negative gravitational charges.
  • One participant suggests that for a Cherenkov-like effect to occur, it would be necessary to determine the speed of gravitational waves in a dense medium and have a massive body exceed that speed.
  • Another participant notes that Cherenkov radiation is related to wave speed rather than the speed of photons, indicating a distinction in how these concepts might apply to gravity.
  • There is a proposal to experimentally investigate gravitational effects by placing a large mass in a nuclear reactor and measuring forces under different operational conditions.
  • One participant explains that Cherenkov radiation arises from particles traveling faster than light in a medium, which is not possible with gravity due to its always attractive nature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of a Cherenkov-like effect for gravitons, with some asserting it is impossible while others speculate on theoretical conditions that could allow for such an effect. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the existence of a medium for gravitons and the implications of gravitational charge.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of consensus on the properties of gravitational waves in dense media and the theoretical assumptions regarding gravitational charge. The discussion does not resolve the complexities involved in these concepts.

JustWatching
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Hi All,
Can somebody tell me what's the speed of the Graviton?
As for Cherenkov Radiation, does exist a similar effect for Graviton?

Thanks
 
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Gravitons are hypothesized to travel at c.

It is far from clear that you can make a medium where the conditions for Cerenkov radiation apply. (Actually, it is certain that there isn't, since there are no negative gravitational charges. What is less clear is if there is some sort of analogous effect)
 
JustWatching said:
Hi All,
Can somebody tell me what's the speed of the Graviton?
As for Cherenkov Radiation, does exist a similar effect for Graviton?

Thanks

For that to occur, you would need to know what the speed of gravitational waves is in a dense medium and then send a massive body into that medium at a higher speed. Sounds like a but of advanced theoretical Physics to me.
But I think that Cherenkov Radiation relates to the wave speed and not the speed of photons.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Gravitons are hypothesized to travel at c.

It is far from clear that you can make a medium where the conditions for Cerenkov radiation apply. (Actually, it is certain that there isn't, since there are no negative gravitational charges. What is less clear is if there is some sort of analogous effect)
What do you mean that "it is certain that there isn't, since there are no negative gravitational charges." ?

sophiecentaur said:
For that to occur, you would need to know what the speed of gravitational waves is in a dense medium and then send a massive body into that medium at a higher speed. Sounds like a but of advanced theoretical Physics to me.
But I think that Cherenkov Radiation relates to the wave speed and not the speed of photons.
Wouldn't it be easier to just put a Big Mass inside a nuclear reactor, switch the reactor on/off, and measure any force applied to the mass in the two different situation?
 
The reason you get Cerenkov radiation is because you have a particle traveling faster than light in that medium. The reason the speed of light is slower in media is because you have both positively and negatively electrically charged particles in that medium. There are no particles with negative gravitational charge - i.e. gravity is always attractive, never repulsive. So you can't duplicate the conditions that gave you Cerenkov radiation with gravity.
 
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