Energy News  
PHYSICS NEWS
A step towards quantum gravity
by Staff Writers
Sherman TX (SPX) Aug 15, 2022

The main focus is on the Hamilton-Jacobi techniques in classical general relativity that were pursued by Peter Bergmann and Arthur Komar in the 1960s and 1970s. They placed special emphasis on the ability to construct the factor group of canonical transformations, where the four-dimensional diffeomorphism phase space transformations were factored out.

In Einstein's theory of general relativity, gravity arises when a massive object distorts the fabric of spacetime the way a ball sinks into a piece of stretched cloth. Solving Einstein's equations by using quantities that apply across all space and time coordinates could enable physicists to eventually find their 'white whale': a quantum theory of gravity.

In a new article in EPJ Historical Perspectives on Contemporary Physics, Donald Salisbury from Austin College in Sherman, USA, explains how Peter Bergmann and Arthur Komar first proposed a way to get one step closer to this goal by using Hamilton-Jacobi techniques. These arose in the study of particle motion in order to obtain the complete set of solutions from a single function of particle position and constants of the motion.

Three of the four fundamental forces - strong, weak, and electromagnetic - hold under both the ordinary world of our everyday experience, modelled by classical physics, and the spooky world of quantum physics. Problems arise, though, when trying to apply to the fourth force, gravity, to the quantum world.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Peter Bergmann of Syracuse University, New York and his associates recognised that in order to someday reconcile Einstein's theory of general relativity with the quantum world, they needed to find quantities for determining events in space and time that applied across all frames of reference. They succeeded in doing this by using the Hamilton-Jacobi techniques.

This is in contrast to other researchers' approaches, including that of John Wheeler and Bryce DeWitt, who thought it only essential to find quantities of space that applied across all frames of reference. By excluding time, their solutions result in ambiguities in the way time develops, which are known as the problem of time.

Salisbury concludes that because the approach taken by Bergmann and associates resolves the ambiguity in the way time develops, their approach deserves more recognition by those exploring an eventual theory of quantum gravity.

Research Report:A history of observables and Hamilton-Jacobi approaches to general relativity


Related Links
Austin College
The Physics of Time and Space


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


PHYSICS NEWS
China claims new world record for strongest steady magnetic field
Hefei, China (SPX) Aug 15, 2022
On August 12, the hybrid magnet of the Steady High Magnetic Field Facility (SHMFF) in Hefei, China, produced a steady field of 45.22 tesla (T), the highest steady magnetic field by a working magnet in the world. It broke the previous world record of 45 tesla created in 1999 by a hybrid magnet at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the United States. This 45.22 tesla hybrid magnet is composed of a resistive insert nested in a superconducting outsert with a bore of 32mm. Altho ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

PHYSICS NEWS
China factories ration power as heatwave sends demand soaring

Chinese city dims lights in heatwave power crunch

US lawmakers pass landmark climate, health plan in big win for Biden

Five million in southwest China face power cuts in heatwave

PHYSICS NEWS
Researchers develop new faster charging hydrogen fuel cell

China's CATL to build battery plant in Hungary

Surrey's prototype battery only needs seconds of sunlight to keep smart wearables charged

Fusion simulation code developed to project fusion instabilities in TAE

PHYSICS NEWS
Europe and China operate the largest number of offshore wind farms

A new method boosts wind farms' energy output, without new equipment

Modern wind turbines can more than compensate for decline in global wind resource

End-of-life plan needed for tens of thousands of wind turbine blades

PHYSICS NEWS
Eco-friendly solar cells improve efficiency by resolving defects

Colorful solar panels could make the technology more attractive

Building blocks of the future for photovoltaics

Cheaper, changing and crucial: the rise of solar power

PHYSICS NEWS
NATO says 'urgent' need to inspect Ukraine nuclear plant

Russia says 'no heavy weapons' deployed at Ukraine nuclear plant

China reconnects nuclear reactor after shutdown due to damage

Ukraine nuclear operator reports cyberattack on its website

PHYSICS NEWS
Turning fish waste into quality carbon-based nanomaterial

Brazilian scientists reveal method of converting methane gas into liquid methanol

MSU researchers create method for breaking down plant materials for earth-friendly energy

Solar-powered chemistry uses CO2 and H2O to make feedstock for fuels, chemicals

PHYSICS NEWS
Oil prices fall but inflation stays high

Oil majors' climate visions 'inconsistent' with Paris targets

Net zero, Russia war driving nascent hydrogen economy

New photocatalyst boosts water splitting efficiency for clean hydrogen production

PHYSICS NEWS
Wales declares drought in several regions

Pope urges help for drought-hit Somalia

'Avoid driving': dust alerts as storms return to UAE

What's in Biden's big climate and health plan?









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.