Gravitons: Relationship to Space-Time & Black Holes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between gravitons, space-time curvature, and black holes, exploring theoretical concepts in quantum gravity, the nature of gravitational interactions, and the implications of these ideas for understanding fundamental physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the relationship between gravitons and the curvature of space-time, questioning how changes in curvature occur over time.
  • There is a suggestion that gravitons, moving at the speed of light, imply that the curvature of space-time is not instantaneous, leading to questions about gradual changes in curvature.
  • One participant challenges the notion that gravitons can escape black holes, indicating a common misconception and suggesting that this topic has been discussed in other threads.
  • Another point raised is the necessity of postulating gravitons based on the existence of mediator particles in other fundamental interactions.
  • Participants express interest in whether quantum gravity theories connect space-time curvature with gravitons, noting that the emergence of curved spacetime from quantum gravity theories varies by the specific theory.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the nature of gravitons and their relationship to black holes and space-time curvature. There is no consensus on these topics, and multiple competing perspectives remain.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects uncertainties regarding the nature of gravitons, the mechanisms of space-time curvature, and the implications of quantum gravity theories. Specific assumptions and definitions are not fully explored, leaving some questions unresolved.

Kairos
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1) What is the relationship between gravitons and the curvature of space-time?
2) As gravitons move at speed c, the curvature of space-time is not instantaneous either, so how the curvature sets in or disappears gradually (for theoretical example if mass disappears suddenly upon collision of matter and antimatter stars)
3) How gravitons, contrary to light photons, can escape black holes and thus from the space-time trap that they are supposed to create themselves?
4) What experimental or theoretical observation has necessitated to postulate the existence of these interaction particles?
 
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I just saw under my question that the subject has already been addressed, I will read the old answers...
 
Kairos said:
1) What is the relationship between gravitons and the curvature of space-time?
2) As gravitons move at speed c, the curvature of space-time is not instantaneous either, so how the curvature sets in or disappears gradually (for theoretical example if mass disappears suddenly upon collision of matter and antimatter stars)
3) How gravitons, contrary to light photons, can escape black holes and thus from the space-time trap that they are supposed to create themselves?
4) What experimental or theoretical observation has necessitated to postulate the existence of these interaction particles?
1) Gravitons are a hypothetical particle that mediate the gravitational interaction in theories of quantum gravity.

2) Spacetime curvature is caused by stress-energy, which is a conserved quantity. E.g. if a particle and anti-particle annihilate, then energy is conserved, even if particle rest mass is not.

3) They don't "escape black holes". This seems to be a common misconception. There are several thread on this.

4) The other fundamental interactions have a mediator particle. That's the role the graviton would play.
 
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thanks for your corrections on points 2 and 3!
do quantum gravity theories connect space-time curvature and gravitons?
 
Kairos said:
thanks for your corrections on points 2 and 3!
do quantum gravity theories connect space-time curvature and gravitons?
How GR and curved spacetime emerges from a theory of QG varies depending on the particular theory of QG. This page gives an introduction and a list of candidate theories:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity
 
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