Could the Discovery of the Graviton Connect Quantum and Classical Physics?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the potential discovery of the graviton and its implications for connecting quantum and classical physics. Participants clarify that gravitons, unlike photons, do not orbit atoms but exist as particles in gravitational waves and as virtual particles mediating gravitational forces. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) currently smashes hadrons, not atoms, and probing the quantum gravity regime would require accelerators significantly larger than those available today, potentially beyond the size of our solar system.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gauge bosons, including W and Z bosons, gluons, and photons.
  • Familiarity with the principles of quantum mechanics and classical physics.
  • Knowledge of particle physics and the function of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
  • Concepts of gravitational waves and virtual particles in quantum field theory.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of gauge bosons in particle physics.
  • Study the mechanics of gravitational waves and their implications for modern physics.
  • Explore advancements in particle accelerator technology and their limitations.
  • Investigate the current theories and experiments related to quantum gravity.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, researchers in quantum mechanics and particle physics, and anyone interested in the intersection of quantum and classical theories.

Physics4Eva
Messages
13
Reaction score
8
TL;DR
In school we've been looking into easy concepts such as Newton's Laws and gravity. However, today I remembered gravitons. Considering how this partical connects with atoms, is it possible that this particle, if discovered, could lead to a theory connecting the basic forces of nature?
W and Z bosons, gluons, and photons are all gauge bosons that have been found. Since the graviton can be connnected to atoms and mass in certain ways, I think that CERN may eventually prove the graviton(if real) through smashing atoms that, supposedly, have a graviton orbiting them. Could finding this particle help to provide better understanding of the four basic forces and, therefore, connect quantum physics and classical physics?
Thank you for your insight!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Physics4Eva said:
I think that CERN may eventually prove the graviton(if real) through smashing atoms that, supposedly, have a graviton orbiting them.

Not sure where you heard this from, but it is incorrect. Gravitons are not orbiting atoms. The would be similar to photons in that they exist as real particles in gravitational waves and as virtual particles mediating the gravitational force between objects. But you won't find them bound to anything.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: vanhees71
Physics4Eva said:
I think that CERN may eventually prove the graviton

No, it won't be able to; to reach energies that would enable us to probe the quantum gravity regime directly in accelerators (which, btw, would not, as @Drakkith says, involve trying to smash atoms with gravitons "orbiting" in them--modern accelerators like the LHC don't smash atoms any more anyway, they smash subatomic particles; the LHC smases together hadrons--strongly interacting particles like the proton--hence the name Large Hadron Collider), we would have to build accelerators many orders of magnitude larger than the ones we have now. Such an accelerator would not fit on planet Earth, and probably would not even fit inside the solar system.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Physics4Eva and vanhees71

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
7K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
11K