Quantum gravity vs. general relativity

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The discussion centers on the distinction between gravitons and virtual gravitons in the context of gravitational fields and acceleration. It explores whether a perfect graviton detector could differentiate between a gravitational field and acceleration, concluding that it would not, as virtual gravitons in a static field are undetectable. The conversation also parallels this with photons, emphasizing that static electromagnetic fields do not produce detectable photons without changes in the field. Participants express skepticism about the utility of gravitons as a complete description of gravity, suggesting they serve more as a mathematical construct rather than a fundamental reality. Overall, the debate highlights the complexities and limitations of current theories in understanding gravity and the role of gravitons.
  • #31
That seems to be rather interseristing for special cases in QM. But how does it affect my statement "even in well-understood theories like QCD the plane waves are a very poor approximation ..."?
 
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  • #32
Plane waves are the initial approximations for PT calculations. My simple QM example may serve to estimate the meson masses from PT calculations. Concerning three-quark baryons, it is probably harder but I think it is still possible.

Of course, the plane waves without PT corrections are poor approximations.

Bob.
 
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  • #33
kashiark said:
Let's suppose gravitons exist, and you have a machine that is 100% effective at detecting them. If you were in a room with no windows, and there is an apparent gravitational field, then would using this machine let you tell if you were in a gravitational field or accelerating?

I'm being (somewhat) whimsical here, but a simple bathroom scale can be used to detect gravitons. If there is a reading on the scale, you have gravitons, if not, you don't. The interesting thing about this (whimsical) situation is that if the scale is accelerating, it turns out to display a reading, which would imply that acceleration generates gravitons!
 
  • #34
I think we are mixing different things:
a) are gravitons only small quantum exitations of the gravitational field?
b) or is a static field composed of gravitons?
c) if b) does acceleration generate gravitons?

I think that gravitons in the sense of a) are a very special concept that has been shown not to produce a viable theory; therefore I think b) is the rigth answer. And that means that I have to admit that c) is correct, too.

Neverthelesee, I still think we that don't agree what gravitons really are.
 
  • #35
tom.stoer said:
I think we are mixing different things:
a) are gravitons only small quantum exitations of the gravitational field?
b) or is a static field composed of gravitons?
c) if b) does acceleration generate gravitons?

I think that gravitons in the sense of a) are a very special concept that has been shown not to produce a viable theory; therefore I think b) is the rigth answer. And that means that I have to admit that c) is correct, too.

Neverthelesee, I still think we that don't agree what gravitons really are.

I forgot the name of it, but there is a theory that proposes acceleration is quantized. It is used to explain dark matter, and the Pioneer annomoly. So if gravity is equivalent to acceleration, then are gravitons a form of quantized acceleration in general?
 
  • #36
Are you talking about MOND (= modified Newtonian dynamics)? It seems to explain DM, but acceleration is not quantizied, as far as I know.
 

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