New theory may finally unite Einstein's gravity with the quantum world

[Judi Lynn]

Story by Christopher McFadden •
1d

In two papers published simultaneously by Univesity College London (UCL), physicists may have finally devised a theory that could unify Einstein's theory of gravity with the strange world of quantum mechanics. If the theory is correct, it could solve one of the last centuries' trickiest problems regarding our understanding of the universe's workings and the nature of matter.

A century-long problem solved?
The foundation of modern physics rests upon two fundamental theories: quantum theory and Einstein's theory of general relativity. Quantum theory governs the behavior of the smallest particles in the universe, while the theory of general relativity explains gravity through the curvature of spacetime. However, these two theories have conflicted for over a century, and a resolution to their contradiction has yet to be found.

Many scientists believe that Einstein's theory of gravity needs to be modified or "quantized" to fit into the framework of quantum theory. Two of the most prominent contenders for a quantum theory of gravity are "string theory" and "loop quantum gravity."

However, according to a new paper in Physical Review X (PRX) by Professor Jonathan Oppenheim from UCL's Physics & Astronomy department, the widely accepted idea that spacetime is governed by quantum theory may not be accurate. Oppenheim proposes an alternative approach in his paper, suggesting that spacetime may be classical instead of quantum, thereby challenging the current consensus.

More:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/new-theory-may-finally-unite-einstein-s-gravity-with-the-quantum-world/ar-AA1kZP3c

[jaxexpat]

1. That explains it!

My official "CVS" scales suggest that the heavy atoms which compose my influence on space time tend to fluctuate in concert with my consumption and retainage of unspent calories. Furthermore, the greater the quanta, the greater the fluctuations. Armed with that evidence, I propose that black holes are the universe's "crash" diet and dark matter the consequence of midnight snacking which approached light speed, only with less exercise, like bending space all the time. This is true both inside and outside the box which the cat left because of all the disturbance to his quantum sleeping. Science is hard.

[Kid Berwyn]

2. Theories that need theories are the luckiest theories in the void.

From the article:

"We have shown that if spacetime doesn't have a quantum nature, then there must be random fluctuations in the curvature of spacetime, which have a particular signature that can be verified experimentally," he added.

"In both quantum gravity and classical gravity, spacetime must be undergoing violent and random fluctuations all around us, but on a scale which we haven't yet been able to detect. But if spacetime is classical, the fluctuations have to be larger than a certain scale, and this scale can be determined by another experiment where we test how long we can put a heavy atom in superposition* of being in two different locations," Weller-Davies explained.

We may be overthinking this on the cosmic scale. Like when observing sub-atomic particles, it may be the human brain is not built to think about the cosmos without changing the cosmos itself.

[sanatanadharma]

3. Sure, the mysteries of the Universe can be explored and explained, and understood ...

Sure, the mysteries of the Universe can be explored and explained, and understood by existent-consciousness; itself a non-deniable and non-negatable reality that can not be explained by Newtonian, quantum, or Einsteinian physics.

All science is possible due only to 'existent consciousness', the removal of which negates all knowledge.
Nothing can be known to exist without knowing-consciousness.

[mikelewis]

4. I think they're spot on...

[scipan]

5. More info

?si=wiKOWnkZbiY09OvJ

https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-physicist-who-bets-that-gravity-cant-be-quantized-20230710/

[Cheezoholic]

6. My overgrown monkey brain is still trying to deal with that fucking cat;) n/t

[burrowowl]

7. LOL

Good thing I wasn’t drinking my coffee!