Quantum theory and Relativity.?

Question

According to quantum theory, gravitational force is caused by interactions of subatomic particles called gravitons. In the case of relativity, it is caused by curved space-time continuum. But both the theories are right. How is this possible?

Answer 1

They are each theories, and each gives good results in its own areas of application, but they are free to be inconsistent with each other. As Hawking puts it in his book, The Universe in a Nutshell, we shouldn't judge a theory by whether or not its assumptions are right, just by whether or not its predictions are right - a good theory is one that gives good predictions about our universe.

Another apparent contradiction is in light - at times, we think of it as being particles, and at other times we think of it as being a wave. There has been a good deal of thought put into what this actually means about the nature of light, but as long as we can formulate our theories so that they give good predictions, science has done its job.

It is possible that one day we will have one theory that works in every situation - the big, the small, the fast, the slow, the every day and the extraordinary, and when we do, it'll be interesting to see how gravity is assumed to be mediated.

Answer 2

Gravitons are the theoretical and as yet undetected force carrying particles of the gravitational force. In relativity, gravity is described as the warping of space/time. Quantum mechanics describes the cause at the subatomic level, relativity describes the effect in the macro sized universe.

Answer 3

They are both correct because they are different levels of correct. If that makes since. The quantum theory is on the quantum level where very weird things exist such as super position and entanglement. Relativity is set on a larger scale.

But did you ever think the Gravitons were causing the curvature of space? Probably not but they are both plausible theory but prefer the quantum explanation that Gravitons are leaking into out universe from a parallel universe that is why it is so weak.

Wow i wish I could of explained that better. Im no expert..yet...
Hope I helped you.
But go watch the great Movie What the Bleep! Its my favorite quantum theory documentary It helps explain alot!

Answer 4

there are two kinds of relativity: special relativity, and general relativity. The effects of special relativity are observed at high velocities. There is nothing incompatible between special relativity and quantum theory - in fact, there is a whole branch of QT called relativistic quantum mechanics. General relativity is a more precise theory of gravitation than Newton's theory. String theory is the best attempt so far to make them compatible.

Answer 5

Both the theories are still theories and can be subject to having thing changed or thrown out.

Gravitons are hypothetical.

If I'm not mistaken gravity is what causes space time to warp or curve.

Quantum theory tries to explain how gravity is created or behaves.

Relativity shows what effect gravity has on the universe.

Then there is string theory which attempts to rectify the problems or variances of Quantum theory at Planck rates.

Gravitons cease to follow the norm at high intensities at the Planck limit.

Of course Gravitons are still pure speculation.

Answer 6

The quantum theory,even though just a theory could not be any thing else.
It limits the speed of light and allows the universe to evolve as we experience it to-day.
Relativity allows all the aspects of the universe to interact with each other even though all entities are isolates from each other by time.

Answer 7

VERY GOOD QUESTION!
And its related to several others, like how can events be random (quantum theory) while relativity theory says events are deterministic?

Answer: we don't know. That is the #1 problemin physics. And physicists have been trying to crack it for about 80 years. That's what is meant by a "Unified Field Theory"--it would unify these two seemingly contradictory models. And guarantee the discoverers a Nobel Prize.

Answer 8

Theories are suppositions, not facts. Neither of those two theories are "right" so to speak, they simply try to explain observed phenomena and do a better job than the rest. Quantum theory describes the universe on a micro scale, relativity describes it on a macro scale.

Answer 9

Quantum mechanics descibes the force of gravitational attractions as the interaction of virtual particles that are exchanged between particles.
Quantum mechanics cant define gravitational force, as relates to celestial/planetary bodies due to it is virtually undetectable at the sub-atomic level.
Classical Physics -GR descibe gravity with a theory of curved spacetime by mass, but even Einstien was not satified with his explanation.
Here's a new idea>http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4773590301316220374&q=thunderbolts+of+the+gods&hl=en

Answer 10

Einstein HATED quantum theory just for that reason. He spent the last half of his life trying to figure it out - and he never did.