From: richalivingston@gmail.com
On Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 7:51:04 AM UTC-5, Robert Komar wrote:
> Tom Roberts wrote:
> >
> > In GR, proper acceleration is physical, while coordinate acceleration
> > can be merely an artifact of the coordinates used (as happens here for
> > Luigi's choice [#]). Gravitation never generates proper acceleration,
> > but real forces, such as EM, always do.
> As someone who has never studied GR, this is an eye-opener for me.
> If gravity is not a real force, is there a need for gravitons? Perhaps
> trying to unify gravity with the other three forces in a grand unified
> theory is a misguided adventure? I'm asking as someone who is
> largely ignorant in these fields.
[Moderator's note: Pun intended? --P.H.]
> Cheers,
> Rob Komar
I've wondered the same question. While I have studied GR, I am far from
an expert, so my opinion is probably of little value. But I've also
wondered if gravity should be quantized like the other "forces".
On the one hand, the current theory of gravity provides the space- time
geometry within which QM operates. Can you have a quantum theory that
operates within a quantum space-time? I really don't know.
On the other hand, gravity does transfer energy from place to place, and
that is clearly within the purview of quantum mechanics.
One thing that I have studied extensively is how well special relativity
and quantum mechanics actually play together and reinforce each other.
There is no conflict between special relativity and QM. It is really
quantum field theory that has a problem with GR.
Again, while I have studied quantum field theory, I am again far from an
expert. But there are several aspects of the current theory that I am
suspicious of and wonder if the problems quantizing gravity actually
have to do with mistaken concepts in field theory? Again, my opinion on
this is probably of little value.
Rich L.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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