Gravity and Mass: What's the Need for a Graviton?

[Uncle Peter]

Hello,

Please help an amateur understand. I don't see the need for a Graviton. I thought gravity was explained by: "Mass causes the curvature of space time". Hence objects "fall" toward each other in a sense; along the curved space time caused by their respective masses.

So why the need for this Graviton? There's the explanation above right? What am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[cragar]

mass or energy causes space-time to curve. By the success of quantum theory they think we need a particle to mediate the Gravitational force, Just like we have particles to mediate the other forces.

 

[{~}]

The graviton is just a way to quantize gravity into discreet non-divisible units like we do with other forces. So far all attempts to place a quantum frame work on gravity have seen little success. It is something of a physics enigma.

 

[mathman]

There are theories which attempt to unify gravity with the other three forces - string theory and loop quantum gravity. Both of them have the same basic problem. They have yet to come out with meaningful results which can be experimentally verified.

 

[pmacias]

Thank you for your question. I can understand your confusion about the concept of gravitons. Gravitons are theoretical particles that are believed to be the carriers of the force of gravity. They are predicted by the theory of quantum mechanics, which explains the behavior of particles at a subatomic level.

While the explanation you mentioned about mass causing the curvature of space-time is a good way to understand the effects of gravity on a large scale, it does not fully explain the underlying mechanism of how gravity works. In order to fully understand gravity at a fundamental level, scientists have been trying to reconcile the theory of gravity with the theory of quantum mechanics. This has led to the concept of gravitons, which are thought to be the particles responsible for transmitting the force of gravity between objects.

However, it is important to note that gravitons are still a theoretical concept and have not yet been directly observed or proven to exist. More research and experimentation is needed to fully understand the role of gravitons in the universe. In the meantime, the explanation of mass causing the curvature of space-time remains a valid way to understand gravity.

I hope this helps to clarify some of your questions about gravitons. Science is always evolving and it's great to see individuals like yourself taking an interest in understanding the world around us. Keep asking questions and seeking answers!