Research on conservation of spacetime curvature

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of spacetime curvature in the context of quantum physics and whether it can be conserved, particularly from the perspective of loop quantum gravity. Participants explore the implications of treating spacetime curvature as a conserved quantity and its relation to established theories like General Relativity (GR).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that spacetime curvature could be conserved, similar to how other properties are conserved in quantum physics.
  • Another participant argues that spacetime curvature is a tensor and not a conserved quantity in GR, challenging the premise of conservation.
  • A participant notes the confusion between spacetime curvature and spatial curvature, emphasizing that they are not the same in current models of the universe.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the validity of the original analysis, suggesting that the lack of critique does not imply acceptance or value in the speculations presented.
  • References to external sources, such as a paper by V. Retsnoi, are made, but some participants argue that these references do not support the claims made in the original post.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the nature of spacetime curvature and its potential conservation. There is no consensus on the validity of the original claims or the implications of the analysis presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the nature of curvature as a tensor and the implications of discussing "total curvature." The discussion remains unresolved regarding the conservation of spacetime curvature.

Structure seeker
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TL;DR
Is there any research done on conservation of (integrated over all spacetime) spacetime curvature?
After trying to kinda get a picture of the field of play in quantum physics according to the standard model, a question came up. I tried to formulate the known bosons each as a particle transferring some property.

1. Photons transfer electric charge: the electromagnetic force gives attraction between positive and negative charges so an electronic current
2. Gluons transfer color charge
3. The 3 weak bosons transfer weak isospin
4. The Higgs mechanism transfers a combination of weak isospin and weak hypercharge
5. Gravitons, if they exist, transfer spacetime curvature?

The first 4 properties transferred are conserved (by quantum conservation laws). My question is: has any research been done on whether spacetime curvature (integrated over all of it) could be conserved? I'm especially interested in loop quantum gravity views on this matter (hope I can sort of understand that but OK)

The only thing I found on internet is a physics stackexchange question https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/130379/conservation-in-space-time-curvature where the question is waved away with the observation that the universe at large is not curved, so what curvature? But IMO that might be in fact an indication that every negative curvature induces an equal opposite positive curvature somehow.
 
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Structure seeker said:
has any research been done on whether spacetime curvature (integrated over all of it) could be conserved?
"Spacetime curvature" is not even a number; it's a tensor. In GR it is not a conserved quantity.

Structure seeker said:
the question is waved away with the observation that the universe at large is not curved
This answer confuses spacetime curvature with spatial curvature in our best current model of our universe. They're not the same.
 
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I'm not a physicist but more a hobbyist in the area of mathematical physics, so whether it matches GR or not is outside my area of expertise.

Regardless, taking the analysis I made seriously could lead to interesting viewpoints or directions to new theories. It's clear this analysis got no critique, so the observations I made are somewhat peer-reviewed now. But no wild speculation here please.
 
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Structure seeker said:
It's clear this analysis got no critique
...apart from Peter pointing out that curvature is a tensor, not a number, which renders questions about a "total curvature" meaningless, even before you get to questions about conservation.
 
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Structure seeker said:
It's clear this analysis got no critique, so the observations I made are somewhat peer-reviewed now.
If by this you mean that you think the fact that nobody has given you a detailed refutation implies that we think there is some value in your speculations, you are wrong.

Structure seeker said:
taking the analysis I made seriously could lead to interesting viewpoints or directions to new theories.
That is not what PF is for. PF is not for discussion of personal research or personal speculations. It is to help people understand physics that is already mainstream. If you think there is something useful in the speculations you are making, get a peer-reviewed paper published.

Thread closed.
 
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