Gravitons vs Relativity: Einstein or Particle Exchange?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the compatibility of gravitons with Einstein's general relativity. It establishes that the concept of gravitons, as massless spin-2 particles, does not inherently contradict the framework of spacetime described by general relativity. The equation g = η + h is introduced, where g represents the metric, η is the vacuum metric, and h denotes the graviton field. However, the current understanding lacks a definitive definition of the graviton, particularly in its interaction with fermions.

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  • Understanding of Einstein's General Relativity
  • Familiarity with quantum field theory concepts
  • Knowledge of massless spin-2 particles
  • Basic grasp of metric tensors and their applications
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The discussion is beneficial for physicists, particularly those specializing in theoretical physics, quantum gravity researchers, and students exploring the intersection of quantum mechanics and general relativity.

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does the idea of how gravity works through gravitons contradict einsteins general relativity?
the idea of a particle exchange (gravitons) does don't seem to agree with space-time fabric.
can they agree or is only one right? if so which do you think?
 
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I can tell you that you can find Einstein's equations starting from the hypothesis of a massless spin-2 exchange. But I agree that, apart from being spin-2, we don't know much how the graviton should be defined. The obvious idea is g=\eta+h where g is the metric, \eta is the metric of the vacuum, and h is your graviton field. This idea does not allow you to couple fermions to the graviton. Sometimes we take the vierbein, which is "roughly speaking" the square root of the metric, to be related more directly to the graviton field.
 

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