Are Gravity Waves Distortions of Space-Time That Create Gravitons?

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The discussion centers on the relationship between gravity waves and gravitons, questioning whether gravity waves, which are distortions of space-time, could be the same as the quantum particles known as gravitons. It is suggested that when a mass bends space-time and is nudged, this distortion propagates at the speed of light, potentially carrying energy as a gravity wave. The conversation acknowledges that while gravity is presumed to be quantized, a complete theory of quantum gravity is still lacking. It is clarified that a quantum description of gravity waves can indeed be referred to as gravitons, implying that they are excitations of a quantum field representing space-time. Ultimately, the dialogue explores the complexities of how gravity and its quantum aspects are understood in the context of modern physics.
Gal
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If a mass bends space-time somehow and then I nudge it, the bend changes. This distortion of space-time bend is supposedly expanding at the speed of light and could be called a "gravity wave" that carries energy. Why is this wave not the distortion that creates a "graviton" like EM and photons?
 
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Gal said:
Why is this wave not the distortion that creates a "graviton" like EM and photons?

Why do you phrase this in the negative?

We presume that gravity is quantized, although we currently don't have a working theory of quantum gravity. "Graviton" is our name for the quantum of the gravitational field.
 
Gal said:
If a mass bends space-time somehow and then I nudge it, the bend changes. This distortion of space-time bend is supposedly expanding at the speed of light and could be called a "gravity wave" that carries energy. Why is this wave not the distortion that creates a "graviton" like EM and photons?
Actually it is. Roughly speaking, a quantum description of gravity wave is called graviton.
 
Demystifier said:
Actually it is. Roughly speaking, a quantum description of gravity wave is called graviton.
But is space-time a quantum field? Do gravitons theoretically excite this "field"?
 
Gal said:
But is space-time a quantum field? Do gravitons theoretically excite this "field"?
The metric of space-time can be treated as a quantum field, in which case gravitons are excitations of this field.
 

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