The Role of Gravitation in Particle Physics: Beyond the Everyday Interactions

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SUMMARY

Gravitation is classified as a Fundamental Force despite General Relativity's characterization of it as a geometric effect of inertia and space-time curvature. While it is often overlooked in typical particle physics scenarios, such as high-energy collisions at CERN, its significance becomes paramount in extreme environments like neutron stars and black holes. In these contexts, gravity plays a crucial role in the behavior of particles, including electrons, neutrons, and quarks, highlighting its importance beyond everyday interactions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of General Relativity and its implications on gravitation
  • Familiarity with particle physics concepts and terminology
  • Knowledge of high-energy collision experiments, particularly at CERN
  • Basic principles of astrophysics, especially regarding neutron stars and black holes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of General Relativity on particle interactions
  • Explore high-energy collision data from CERN experiments
  • Study the role of gravity in neutron stars and black holes
  • Investigate the behavior of particles under extreme gravitational conditions
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, astrophysicists, and students of particle physics who are interested in the interplay between gravitation and particle behavior in extreme environments.

azabak
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Why is gravitation still considered a Fundamental Force when General Relativity says that it is a geometric effect of inertia and space-time curvature?
 
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Likely no real reason anymore...just a classification...an historical artifact like so many other things

The Wikipedia description of fundamental focres is typical:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_forces

and reading it suggests

...Gravitation is by far the weakest of the four interactions. Hence it is always ignored when doing particle physics...

but this is not very accurate... they should say "everyday" or 'typical' particle physics.
In studying high energy collisions for example,such as at CERN, gravity isn't usually simportant...BUT

'particle physics' in neutron stars and black holes, for example, and with electron, neutron, and quark degeneracies gravity is EVERYTHING...
 

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