How do gravitons behave in relation to general relativity?

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In summary, gravitons behave more like a solid wall of particles rather than air molecules as they can't effectively "miss" attracting smaller particles. As the waves of gravitons move away from their source, they stretch out and leave gaps between them. However, there is no known boundary for curved space, similar to a potato's curved surface having no edge.
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fbsthreads
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It must be wrong to think of gravitons like air molecules that have the free space to move in any direction, because if a wave of gravitons could move side to side, they could effectively ‘miss’ attracting some small particles. So they must behave like a complete solid wall of particles.

But then as the waves move further away from their source, they must split up/stretch out and so the gravitons have gaps between them?

Also, is there anything in general relativity that says gravity does not stretch out infinitely? If gravity is space curving (curved geometry) then the geometry must have a start/end for the curve to begin and end?
 
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fbsthreads said:
It must be wrong to think of gravitons like air molecules that have the free space to move in any direction, because if a wave of gravitons could move side to side, they could effectively ‘miss’ attracting some small particles. So they must behave like a complete solid wall of particles.

But then as the waves move further away from their source, they must split up/stretch out and so the gravitons have gaps between them?

Also, is there anything in general relativity that says gravity does not stretch out infinitely? If gravity is space curving (curved geometry) then the geometry must have a start/end for the curve to begin and end?

Gravitons would be much denser than you suppose. Notice that sunlight - photons - manages to illuminate every square inch of earth, even though we're 93 million miles from the photosphere. Gravitons should do at least as well as that.

And no, general relativity doesn't prescribe a boundary for curved space. A potato has a curved surface, but that surface has no edge.
 

FAQ: How do gravitons behave in relation to general relativity?

What is a graviton?

A graviton is a hypothetical particle that is believed to transmit the force of gravity. It is part of the theory of quantum gravity, which attempts to reconcile the theories of general relativity and quantum mechanics.

How does the existence of gravitons relate to general relativity?

General relativity explains gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by the presence of mass and energy. However, the theory of quantum mechanics suggests that all forces are transmitted by particles. The existence of gravitons would help bridge the gap between these two theories.

Can gravitons be detected?

At this point, gravitons have not been directly detected. They are extremely difficult to detect due to their extremely small mass and weak interactions with matter. Scientists are currently working on experiments to try and detect gravitons indirectly.

What are the implications of proving the existence of gravitons?

If the existence of gravitons is proven, it would provide strong evidence for the theory of quantum gravity and help us better understand the fundamental forces of the universe. It could also potentially lead to new technologies and a deeper understanding of the nature of space and time.

Are gravitons the only explanation for gravity?

No, there are other theories and explanations for gravity, such as modified versions of general relativity or theories that do not involve the concept of gravitons. However, the existence of gravitons is a widely accepted and well-supported explanation for gravity in the scientific community.

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