Why does mass attract other mass?

[DRJTower]

I understand the forces of gravity, how to model it ect. I even vaguely understand relativistic gravity, but these are just descriptions of how gravity works. What is gravity? Why does mass attract other mass (or warp space time)? Is there an answer for this?

 

[Jonathan Scott]

I understand the forces of gravity, how to model it ect. I even vaguely understand relativistic gravity, but these are just descriptions of how gravity works. What is gravity? Why does mass attract other mass (or warp space time)? Is there an answer for this?

Not yet, as far as I know.

 

[Sakha]

Some physics believe there is a particle, the graviton, which is the carrier of the gravity force, just like the photon is to the electromagnetic force. But proving that such a particle exist seems to be very complex (I don't have enough knowledge to even try explaining it). Here is when such theories as string or M theories come trying to find the answer for gravity.

 

[Chronos]

That is still a question without a clear answer.

 

[cybertific]

Gravity is one of four fundamental force in this universe besides strong, weak and electromagnet. If you ask, how those forces work, then each force do has a force carrier particle. For electromagnet is photon, strong is gluon, weak is vector bosons and gravity is graviton.

 

[Rymer]

Gravity is one of four fundamental force in this universe besides strong, weak and electromagnet. If you ask, how those forces work, then each force do has a force carrier particle. For electromagnet is photon, strong is gluon, weak is vector bosons and gravity is graviton.

The problem is that General Relativity does not use this 'force carrier particle' concept. And in fact, in some ways is inconsistent with it. The plus side to this is that the supposed graviton has never been detected -- and may not exist. So GR may be right in not doing so.

However, it is still possible that a photon might be involved as the 'force carrier' for gravitation as well as for electromagnetism. Never ending theories -- what science is all about.

 

[Chronos]

Einstein thought gravity was a geometrical effect, the curvature of spacetime in the presence of matter. A boson is not necessarily required. That was mostly imposed by string theory.

 

[Rymer]

Einstein thought gravity was a geometrical effect, the curvature of spacetime in the presence of matter. A boson is not necessarily required. That was mostly imposed by string theory.

Yes, he did. And at that time quantum physics was in the future. Particle physics has made gigantic strides since his time.

I do think that GR can and does give good and valid results in most every case -- EXCEPT when applied to cosmology as it has been. It still may be able to be modified for that situation too.

 

[Chronos]

No doubt, but a better theory has not yet been proposed.

 

[Rymer]

No doubt, but a better theory has not yet been proposed.

There will always be a better theory.

 

[monty37]

when you say you understand gravity and its forces ,you would also
understand that it is the very same force that causes bodies having mass
to get attracted.
and as to why this happens,that is the nature of this force,and as to why it has
this nature,it is because the apple fell 'down' and not up.

 

[Rymer]

when you say you understand gravity and its forces ,you would also
understand that it is the very same force that causes bodies having mass
to get attracted.
and as to why this happens,that is the nature of this force,and as to why it has
this nature,it is because the apple fell 'down' and not up.

Well, believe it or not there are some people that have a theory of gravity that says just that!
(Definitely NOT mainstream!)

 

[madhuresh]

i don't undersatnd even if gravity is a particle or not..how does it matter.. has nay one seeen any particles like the particles of electromagnetic force ..nope!
then in fact we just assume things then what so much mistry around gravity..pata nahin !

 

[Chronos]

There is a perception gravity should behave similarly to Maxwellian [EM] forces, which are mediated by bosons. It is less clear if gravitational fields are similarly well behaved.