Tag Archives: gravity

How Mars’ Gravity May Influence Earth’s Ice Age Cycles

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Composite photo of Mars

Mars’ Significant Impact on Earth’s Climate

Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems

Despite Mars being smaller than Earth, it profoundly affects Earth’s climate cycle. Understanding how smaller planets influence the climates of exoplanets is crucial for assessing their potential for habitability.

According to Stephen Cain, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, discovered this phenomenon by simulating various scenarios to analyze Mars’ effect on Earth’s orbit across different masses, from 100 times its current mass to its complete removal. “Initially, I was skeptical that Mars, only one-tenth the mass of Earth, could so significantly affect Earth’s cycles. This motivated our study to manipulate Mars’ mass and observe the effects,” says Cain.

Earth’s climate is influenced by long-term cycles tied to its orbital eccentricity and axial tilt. These cycles are dictated by the gravitational forces of the Sun and other planets, determining significant climate events such as ice ages and seasonal shifts.

One crucial cycle, referred to as the Grand Cycle, spans 2.4 million years, involving the elongation and shortening of Earth’s orbital ellipse. This directly influences the amount of sunlight reaching Earth’s surface, thus controlling long-term climate changes.

The research indicates that eliminating Mars would not only remove the Grand Cycle but also another essential eccentricity cycle lasting 100,000 years. “While removing Mars wouldn’t completely halt ice ages, it would alter the frequency and climate impacts associated with them,” Cain explains.

As Mars’ simulated mass increases, the resulting climate cycles become shorter and more intense. However, a third eccentricity cycle, enduring approximately 405,000 years, remains predominantly influenced by Venus and Jupiter’s gravitational pulls, illustrating that while Mars is notably influential, it is not the only player.

Mars also affects Earth’s axial tilt, which oscillates over about 41,000 years. Cain and colleagues observed that Mars seems to stabilize these cycles—more mass leads to less frequent cycles, while a smaller Mars results in more frequent ones.

The precise impact of Mars’ absence or increased mass on Earth remains speculative, but it would undoubtedly lead to changes. The pursuit of Earth-like exoplanets with climates suitable for life continues, underscoring the need to evaluate the influence of smaller planets more thoroughly. “A comprehensive understanding of exoplanet system architectures is essential for predicting possible climate changes on these worlds,” warns Sean Raymond from the University of Bordeaux, France.

However, deciphering these structures can be challenging. “This serves as a cautionary note: small planets like Mars may wield a greater influence than we realize, making it imperative not to overlook these difficult-to-detect celestial bodies,” concludes Cain.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Emerging Theories May Finally Bring “Quantum Gravity” to Reality

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Researchers might be on the brink of solving one of the most significant challenges in physics, potentially laying the groundwork for groundbreaking theories.

At present, two distinct theories—quantum mechanics and gravity—are employed to elucidate various facets of the universe. Numerous attempts have been made to fuse these theories into a cohesive framework, but a compelling unification remains elusive.

“Integrating gravity with quantum theory into a single framework is one of the primary objectives of contemporary theoretical physics,” states Dr. Mikko Partanen, the lead author of the recently published research in Report on Progress in Physics. He elaborates on this innovative approach in the context of BBC Science Focus, calling it “the holy grail of physics.”

The challenge of formulating a theory of “quantum gravity” arises from the fact that these two concepts operate on entirely different scales.

Quantum mechanics investigates the minutest scale of subatomic particles, leading to the development of standard models. These models link three fundamental forces: electromagnetic, strong (which binds protons and neutrons), and weak (responsible for radioactive decay).

The fourth fundamental force, gravity, is articulated by Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which portrays gravity as a curvature of spacetime. Massive objects and high-energy entities distort spacetime, influencing surrounding objects and governing the domain of planets, stars, and galaxies. Yet, gravity seems resistant to aligning with quantum mechanics.

The Duality of Theories

A significant issue is that gravity is rooted in a “deterministic classical” framework, meaning the laws predict specific outcomes. For instance, if you drop a ball, gravity guarantees it will fall.

In contrast, quantum theory is inherently probabilistic, offering only the likelihood of an event rather than a definitive outcome.

“These are challenging to merge,” Partanen comments. “Attempts to apply quantum theory within gravitational contexts have yielded numerous nonsensical results.”

For example, when quantum physicists measure the electron’s mass, the equations spiral into infinity. Similarly, applying gravity in extreme conditions, like at the edge of a black hole, renders Einstein’s equations meaningless.

Even general relativity fails to explain phenomena within a black hole. -NASA

“While intriguing approaches like string theory [which substitutes particles with vibrating energy strings] exist, we currently lack unique, testable predictions to differentiate these theories from standard models or general relativity,” notes Partanen.

Instead of crafting an entirely new theory for unification, Partanen and his colleague, Professor Jukka Tulkki, approached gravity through the lens of quantum mechanics by reformulating the gravitational equations using fields.

Fields represent how quantum theory elucidates the variation of physical quantities over space and time. You may already be acquainted with electric and magnetic fields.

This novel perspective allowed them to replicate the principles of general relativity in a format that combines effortlessly with quantum mechanics.

Testing the Theories

A particularly promising aspect of this new theory is that it does not require the introduction of exotic new particles or altered physical laws, meaning physicists already possess the necessary tools for its verification.

According to him, this new theory generates equations that account for phenomena like the bending of light around massive galaxies and redshifts—the elongation of light’s wavelength as objects recede in the expanding universe.

This new theory aligns with predictions from general relativity. – Credits: ESA/Hubble & NASA, D. Thilker

While this validates the theory, it does not confirm its correctness.

To establish this, experiments must be conducted in extreme gravitational environments where general relativity falters.

If quantum gravity can make superior predictions in such scenarios, it would serve as a crucial step towards validating this new theory and suggesting that Einstein’s framework might be incomplete.

However, this is challenging due to the minimal differences between the two theories.

For instance, when observing how the sun’s mass bends light from a distant star, the predictive discrepancy is a mere 0.0001%. Current astronomical tools are insufficient for precise measurements.

Fortunately, larger celestial bodies can amplify these differences dramatically.

“For neutron stars with intense gravitational fields, relative differences can reach a few percent,” Partanen observes. While no observatory currently exists to make such observations, advancements in technology could soon enable this.

The theory remains in its nascent stages, with the team embarking on a mission to finalize mathematical proofs to ensure the theory avoids diverging into infinities or other complications.

If progress remains encouraging, they will then apply the theory to extreme situations, such as the singularity of a black hole.

“Our theory represents a novel endeavor to unify all four fundamental forces of nature within one coherent framework, and thorough investigation may unveil phenomena beyond our current understanding,” concludes Partanen.

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About Our Experts

Mikko Partanen is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Physics and Nanoengineering at Aalto University in Espoo, Finland. He specializes in studying light and its quantum properties, with his research appearing in journals such as Physics Chronicles, New Journal of Physics, and Scientific Reports.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Physicists Unveil a Novel Quantum Theory of Gravity

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A novel theory formulated by physicists at Aalto University provides a new perspective on gravity that aligns with established particle physics models, paving the way to understanding the universe’s origins.

The standard model of particle physics delineates the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions among three of the four fundamental forces of nature. The challenge in unifying these with gravity has persisted due to the incompatibility of the general theory of relativity and quantum field theory. While quantum field theory employs compact, finite-dimensional symmetry linked to the quantum fields’ internal degrees of freedom, general relativity is grounded in non-competitive, infinite external space-time symmetry. Mikko Partanen & Jukka Tulkki aim to construct a gauge theory of gravity using compact twin symmetry, similar to the formulation of basic interactions in standard models. Image credit: Desy/Science Communication Lab.

“If this research leads to a comprehensive quantum field theory of gravity, it will ultimately address the challenging question of understanding the singularities in black holes and the Big Bang,” stated Dr. Mikko Partanen from Aalto University.

“Theories that effectively unify all fundamental natural forces are often referred to as ‘theory of everything.’

“Several fundamental questions in physics remain unresolved. Current theories do not elucidate why the observable universe exhibits a greater abundance of matter than antimatter.”

The breakthrough lay in formulating gravity through the appropriate gauge theory, which describes how particles interact via fields.

“The most recognized gauge field is the electromagnetic field,” remarked Dr. Jukka Tulkki from Aalto University.

“When charged particles interact, they do so through electromagnetic fields. This represents the proper gauge field.”

“Therefore, if particles possess energy, their interactions will occur through the gravitational field simply because energy exists.”

One of the significant challenges physicists have encountered is discovering a theory of gravity that aligns with the gauge theories governing the three fundamental forces: electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force.

The standard model of particle physics serves as a gauge theory that describes these three forces, characterized by specific symmetries.

“The core concept is to avoid basing your theory on the fundamentally distinct space-time symmetries of general relativity, but rather to establish a gravity gauge theory with symmetry that resembles the standard model’s symmetry,” Dr. Partanen explained.

Without such a theoretical framework, physicists cannot reconcile the two most potent theories at our disposal: quantum field theory and general relativity.

Quantum theory provides insights into the behavior of small particles in a stochastic manner, while general relativity describes the gravitational interactions of massive, familiar objects.

Both theories offer unique perspectives on our universe and have been validated with remarkable accuracy, yet they remain mutually exclusive.

Moreover, due to the weak interactions of gravity, enhanced precision is required to investigate genuine quantum gravity effects beyond the classical theory of general relativity.

“Understanding the quantum theory of gravity is crucial for deciphering phenomena occurring in high-energy gravitational fields,” noted Dr. Partanen.

“These phenomena are particularly relevant in the vicinity of black holes, during the moments following the Big Bang, and in the early universe, areas where existing physical theories fail to apply.”

“I’ve always been captivated by such a grand problem in physics, which inspired me to explore a new symmetry-based approach to gravity theory and begin developing ideas,” he added.

“The resulting work promises to usher in a new era of scientific comprehension, akin to how understanding gravity enabled the creation of GPS technology.”

The theory holds great promise, but the researchers caution that their evidence collection is still ongoing.

This theory employs a technical method known as renormalization, a mathematical technique employed to manage the infinities that arise in calculations.

Currently, Dr. Partanen and Dr. Tulkki have demonstrated its effectiveness to a certain degree for the so-called “first-order” term, but they need to ensure that these infinities can be navigated throughout the calculations.

“If the renormalization process falters under higher-order conditions, the results become endlessly divergent,” Dr. Tulkki explained.

“Hence, demonstrating the continuation of this process is critical.”

“While we still need to gather comprehensive evidence, we are optimistic about our chances for success,” he remarked.

“Challenges remain, but with time and perseverance, I hope they will be surmountable,” Dr. Partanen reflected.

“I cannot predict when, but I expect to gain more insights in the coming years.”

The team’s paper has been published in the journal Report on Progress in Physics.

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Mikko Partanen & Jukka Tulkki. 2025. Gravity generated by four 1-dimensional single-gauge symmetry and the standard model. Legislator prog. Phys 88, 057802; doi:10.1088/1361-6633/ADC82E

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Source: www.sci.news

Physicists Claim Gravity Arises from Our Universe’s Computational Processes

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Melvin Vopson, a physicist from the University of Portsmouth, introduces a novel perspective on gravity.

This artist’s impression illustrates the evolution of the universe, starting with the Big Bang on the left. Then, the microwave background is depicted, followed by the formation of the first stars, which ends the dark ages of the universe, and continues with the emergence of galaxies. Image credit: M. Weiss/Harvard – Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

There is a theory positing that the entire universe is intrinsically informative and operates akin to a computational process, a perspective shared by many notable thinkers.

This line of thinking emerges from the domain of information physics, suggesting that physical reality is fundamentally composed of structured information.

In his latest paper, Dr. Vopson presents findings indicating that gravity stems from a computational process inherent in the universe.

He posits that gravity may be influenced by the organization of information related to matter throughout the universe.

Employing the second law of information dynamics, he demonstrates that universal matter and its objects could be considered as the universe endeavors to organize and compress information.

“My findings support the notion that the universe might operate like a vast computer, or that our reality represents a simulated configuration,” Dr. Vopson remarked.

“In the same way that computers strive to save space and enhance efficiency, the universe may do the same.”

“This presents a new outlook on gravity—it’s about the universe’s effort to stay organized, rather than simply pulling.”

Dr. Vopson has previously posited that information is fundamental and that all elementary particles harbor self-information, similar to how cells in biological entities carry DNA.

The current paper reveals how the spatial pixelation of fundamental cells serves as a medium for data storage, and how the information contained within these cells contributes to the physical properties and coordinates of space-time simulacra.

Each cell is capable of registering information in binary format, meaning an empty cell records a digital 0, while a cell containing matter records a digital 1.

“This process mirrors the design of a digital computer game, a virtual reality application, or other advanced simulations,” Dr. Vopson explained.

“As a single cell can accommodate multiple particles, the system evolves by relocating particles in space, merging them into a singular large particle within a single cell.”

“This sets the rules established in the computing system, causing attraction, which requires minimizing informational content and potentially reducing computational demand.”

“In simple terms, tracking and calculating the position and momentum of a single object is much more computationally efficient than managing multiple objects.”

“Therefore, gravitational attraction appears as yet another optimization mechanism within the computational process aimed at compressing information.”

“This study offers a fresh insight into gravity, affirming that its appeal arises from the fundamental urge to decrease information entropy in the universe.”

“The findings reveal significant conceptual and methodological distinctions, suggesting that gravity functions as a computational optimization process where matter self-organizes to lessen the complexity of encoding within space-time.”

“The broader implications of this work encompass fundamental physics topics, including black hole thermodynamics, dark matter, dark energy considerations, and potential links between gravity and quantum information theory.”

“The question of whether the universe is fundamentally a computational structure remains unresolved.”

This paper was published in the journal on April 25th, 2025, in AIP Advances.

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Melvin M. Vopson. 2025. Is there evidence of gravity in the computational universe? AIP Advances 15, 045035; doi:10.1063/5.0264945

Source: www.sci.news

New optical devices that imitate black and white gravity holes created recently

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In general theory of relativity, the white holes in gravity are virtual regions of space that cannot be entered from the outside. It is the opposite of a black hole where light and information cannot escape. Researchers from the University of Southampton, Nanyan University of Technology, and Texas A&M University have created optical devices that show intriguing similarities to these objects. The device will either fully absorb the wavelength (optical black hole) or completely reject (optical hole) light, depending on the polarization.

Between the double prism devices with thin film, they appear as a dark light absorbing surface – mimicking a black hole of gravity. Image credit: Nina Vaidia, University of Southampton.

The newly developed device acts as an optical black hole or an optical hole hole and is based on a principle known as coherent complete absorption.

Relying on polarization, this optical device is able to absorb or reject light almost completely, similar to the behavior of gravity black or white holes in space.

This device works by forming a rising wave from an incident light wave. This wave interacts with the ultra-thin absorber, leading to complete absorption or transmission based on the polarization of the light.

Simply put, it behaves like an object of the universe that swallows or repels light.

“Sphere phenomena, especially black holes, have captivated human imagination and exploratory plots for generations,” said Professor Nina Vaidia of the University of Southampton.

“Analog is a way of accessing physics, especially in distant objects such as black holes, as aspects of mathematical frameworks and physical principles are repeated in a surprising way in some systems.

“We present the concept of optical black and white holes that deterministically absorb almost all of the light in one polarization, while rejecting orthogonal polarization.”

“It relies on an experimental demonstration of the complete absorption of broadband coherent in compact devices enabled by spatial coherence and interference, while polarization sensitivity is acquired from the geometric phase of the interfering beam.”

The team’s proof-of-concept experiments show that the optical device manipulates electromagnetic waves in a way that reflects the behavior of gravitational black and white holes.

The simulation shows no reflection from the black hole analog device and the formation of standing waves due to incident interference and reflected light in the white hole.

The results can illuminate fascinating insights and possibilities for manipulating the interaction of light and matter, enabling a wide range of practical applications.

“Our optical devices can be employed as analogues to study and explore the physics of these far-flung astronomical phenomena. Or, in fact, they can provide a practical framework for several potential applications for tailoring electromagnetic waves and enhancing lighting interactions such as detection, energy conversion, multispectral camouflage, and stealth technology.

Team’s work Published in the journal Advanced Photonics.

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Eric Plum et al. 2025. Optical analogue of black and white gravity holes. Advanced Photonics 7 (2): 025001; doi: 10.1117/1.ap.7.2.025001

Source: www.sci.news

The unexpected weight loss caused by Canada’s gravity anomaly

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In certain areas of the world, such as Canada’s Hudson Bay, gravity is slightly lower than in other areas.

This is because an object with more mass has more gravity, and since Earth’s mass is not uniform, gravity varies from place to place. However, you need a very accurate scale to notice it. Hudson Bay’s gravity is about four thousandths of a percent lower than Earth’s average.

When scientists discovered this anomaly in the 1960s, they developed two theories to explain it. The first is that the Earth’s crust is still recovering from the last Ice Age.

About 20,000 years ago, the huge Laurentide ice sheet covered North America. The weight of the ice, which was more than 3 kilometers (almost 2 miles) thick in places, pushed down on the continent’s crust.

When the Ice Age ended, the Laurentide melted rapidly, but the Earth’s crust slowly returned to normal. It rebounds by about 12 mm (0.5 inch) each year, meaning it will take another 300,000 years to return to its original position. This indentation left in the Earth’s crust means that Hudson Bay has slightly less mass and therefore slightly less gravity.

The second theory concerns the movement of the mantle beneath the Earth’s crust.

The mantle is made of molten rock heated by the Earth’s core. It rises over geological time scales and then sinks again as it cools. This creates convection currents that move the plates. Ocean currents can also pull continents downward, slightly reducing mass and gravity in the area.

Satellite measurements in 2002 revealed both theories to be correct. The Hudson Bay gravity anomaly is caused by a combination of mantle convection and the legacy of the Laurentide ice sheet. Therefore, even after the Earth’s crust has fully rebounded, gravity in this part of the world will remain slightly lower than average.

This article answers the question (asked by Victor Gregory via email): “Is it true that people in Canada weigh less?”
If you have any questions, please email us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a message facebook, ×or Instagram Page (remember to include your name and location).

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One tiny particle has the potential to alter our understanding of gravity

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Gravity is one of the four fundamental forces that bind matter in the universe. The other three forces (electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear) are explained through the exchange of force-carrying elementary particles, leading theorists to believe there is a similar quantum explanation for gravity.

The force carriers for the electromagnetic force are photons, while the weak nuclear force has W-, W+, and Z0 bosons as force carriers, and the strong nuclear force has eight types of gluons. On the other hand, the hypothetical carrier of gravitational force is known as the graviton.

The properties of the graviton are deducible in quantum theory. The amount of energy required to summon a force-carrying particle from the vacuum determines how quickly it must be recovered. Since gravity has an infinite range and does not require energy to create a graviton, the mass of the graviton must be zero.

Additionally, gravitons are expected to have a spin of 2, as only spin 2 particles interact with all matter, which is characteristic of universal gravity. This is in contrast to quarks and leptons, which have a spin of 1/2, and the non-gravitational force carriers, which have a spin of 1.

While gravity may not be fully explained by the exchange of gravitons, most physicists believe it can be quantized. String theory offers a potential framework where fundamental particles are envisioned as vibrations of mass-energy strings, with each vibrating string having the properties of a graviton.

However, string theory faces challenges due to its complexity and inability to make testable predictions. Detecting gravitons is difficult due to the extremely weak nature of gravity and the rare interactions gravitons have with matter.

Despite the challenges in detecting gravitons, recent advancements in experimental exploration, such as the discovery of spin-2 particle properties in a liquid analogue system, provide hope for a better understanding of gravitons and the eventual unification of fundamental forces into a single theory.

About our experts

Tony Rothman: A theoretical physicist who has taught at Princeton and Harvard Universities, he has published non-fiction and fiction novels and written various stage plays outside of his academic career. He has contributed to publications like Physics Basics, European Journal of Physics, and Astrophysics and Space Sciences.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Scientists investigate possible anomaly in the force of gravity in the universe

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in paper Published in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle PhysicsScientists have considered theoretical and observational cases of “cosmic glitches” in the universe's gravity.

Wen other. Specifically, we develop a model that modifies general relativity on a cosmological scale by introducing a "glitch" in the gravitational constant between the cosmological (superhorizon) and Newtonian (subhorizon) regions. Research. Image credit: M. Weiss / Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

For the past 100 years, physicists have relied on Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity to explain how gravity acts throughout the universe.

General relativity, proven accurate by countless experiments and observations, suggests that gravity affects not just the third physical dimension, but also a fourth dimension: time. Masu.

“This gravity model has been essential to everything from theorizing the Big Bang to photographing black holes,” said Robin Wen, a researcher at the California Institute of Technology.

“But when we try to understand gravity at the cosmic scale, beyond galaxy clusters, we run into clear contradictions with the predictions of general relativity.”

“It's as if gravity itself is no longer fully consistent with Einstein's theory.”

“We call this contradiction a 'cosmic glitch.' When dealing with distances of billions of light years, gravity weakens by about 1%.”

For more than 20 years, researchers have been trying to create a mathematical model to explain the apparent contradictions in general relativity.

“Almost a century ago, astronomers discovered that the universe was expanding,” said Professor Nyaesh Afsholdi of the University of Waterloo.

“The further away a galaxy is, the faster it is moving, so much so that it appears to be moving at a speed close to the maximum speed of light allowed by Einstein's theory.”

“Our findings suggest that at precisely that scale, Einstein's theory may also be inadequate.”

The research team's “cosmic glitch” model modifies and extends Einstein's formula in a way that resolves some discrepancies in cosmological measurements without affecting existing successful uses of general relativity. This is what I did.

“Think of this as a footnote to Einstein's theory,” Wen says.

“Once we reach the cosmic scale, terms and conditions apply.”

“This new model may be the first clue to the cosmic puzzles we are beginning to solve across time and space,” Professor Afshodi said.

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Robin Y. Wen other. 2024. Anomalies in the gravity of the universe. JCAP 03:045; doi: 10.1088/1475-7516/2024/03/045

Source: www.sci.news

Physicists are delving into quantum gravity using the concept of gravitational rainbows

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The fans roar to life, pumping air upwards at 260 kilometers per hour. Wearing a baggy blue jumpsuit, red helmet, and plastic goggles, claudia de rum When you step into the glass room… Whoosh! Suddenly, she was suspended in the air, her wide grin on her face excited by her simulated experience of free fall.

I persuaded de Lamme, a theoretical physicist at Imperial College London, to go indoor skydiving with me at iFLY London. It seemed appropriate, given that much of her life has been dedicated to exploring the limits and true nature of gravity. At least on this occasion, jumping out of the plane wasn't an option for her.

As she explains in her new book, the beauty of falling, de Rum trained to be a pilot and then an astronaut, but medical problems ruined his chance for the ultimate escape from gravity. But as a theorist, she continued to delve deeper into this most familiar and mysterious force, making her mark by asking her fundamental question: “What is the weight of gravity?” Ta.

That means she is a graviton, a hypothetical particle that is thought to carry this force. If it had mass, as de Rum suspects, that would open a new window on gravity. Among other things, we may finally discover a “gravitational rainbow” that betrays the existence of gravitons. Along with gravitons, it will also become possible to provide a quantum description of gravity, which has been sought for many years.

When De Rum is suspended in the air, she makes it look easy. She will ascend soon…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Groundbreaking Discovery in Quantum Gravity May Lead to a Unified “Theory of Everything”

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Curious about what goes on inside a black hole? Wondering about the origins of the Big Bang and how the forces of the universe came together? These are some of the biggest questions humanity has about the universe, and new discoveries are bringing us closer to the answers than ever before.

Scientists have made a breakthrough in measuring gravity in the quantum world, with British, Dutch, and Italian teams utilizing new technology to detect weak gravity on small particles. By suspending particles weighing just 0.43 mg at ultra-low temperatures, they were able to isolate the vibrations of the particles using magnets and superconducting devices.

This groundbreaking technique allowed scientists to measure weak attractive forces of only 30 attonewtons (aN), a force smaller than that of a bacterium on a table’s surface. Previously, understanding how gravity worked at the microscopic level had eluded scientists, but this discovery has shed light on the interaction of forces with particles at a small scale.

Lead author of the study, Tim Hooks from the University of Southampton, noted that scientists have been struggling for a century to understand how gravity and quantum mechanics interact. This new discovery brings us closer to unraveling the mysteries of the universe and potentially paves the way for further advancements in measuring quantum gravity.

By continuing to refine the method used in this study, researchers hope to delve deeper into the forces that govern the universe, ultimately leading to a better understanding of the very structure of our cosmos.

“We are on the brink of new discoveries about gravity and the quantum world,” said Professor Hendrik Ulbricht, one of the study authors.

For more information, visit Professor Hendrik Ulbricht’s profile.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Using small magnets to measure gravity at a quantum level

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All objects, no matter how small, exert gravity.

Karl Drenck/BeholdingEye/Getty Images

A device that can measure the force of gravity on particles lighter than a single grain of pollen could help us understand how gravity works in the quantum world.

Despite being stuck to the ground, gravity is the weakest force known to us. Only very large objects, such as planets and stars, generate enough gravity to be easily measured. Doing the same for a very small object at a fraction of the distance and mass in the quantum realm is also possible because the size of the force is so small, but a nearby larger object could overwhelm the signal. It is very difficult because there is

now hendrik ulbricht and colleagues at the University of Southampton in the UK have developed a new way to measure gravity on a small scale, using tiny neodymium magnets weighing about 0.5 milligrams that are suspended in a magnetic field that opposes Earth's gravity.

Small changes in the magnetic field of a magnet caused by the gravitational influence of nearby objects can be converted into a measure of gravity. The whole thing is cooled to near absolute zero and suspended on a spring system to minimize external forces.

This probe can measure the gravitational pull of objects weighing just a few micrograms. “We can increase the sensitivity and push the study of gravity into a new regime,” Ulbricht says.

He and his team found that a 1-kilogram test mass rotating nearby could measure a force of 30 atton-Newtons on a particle. An atnewton is one billionth of a newton. One limitation is that the test mass must be moving at a suitable velocity to cause gravitational resonance with the magnet. Otherwise, it will not be strong enough to pick up the force.

The next stage of the experiment will reduce the test mass to the same size as the magnetic particles so that gravity can be tested while the particles exhibit quantum effects such as entanglement and superposition. Ulbricht said this would be difficult because with such a small mass, all other parts of the experiment would need to be incredibly precise, such as the exact distance between the two particles. Masu. It may take at least 10 years to reach this stage.

“The fact that they even attempted this measurement is appalling to me,” he says. julian starlingis a UK-based engineer, as it is difficult to separate other gravitational effects from the exploration mass. Professor Starling said that in this experiment, the anti-vibration system appeared to have had a small but significant effect on airborne particles, so researchers need to find ways to minimize the gravitational effects of the anti-vibration system. It states that there is.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

What is the reason for gravity pulling us downwards instead of upwards?

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Einstein’s theory of general relativity explains gravity as the result of the curvature of spacetime by mass, in contrast to the dual ability of magnetism to attract and repel. This theory introduces the concept of the gravity well, which is central to understanding gravity. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Why does gravity pull us down instead of up?

Gravity is the reason objects with mass or energy are attracted to each other. This is why apples fall to the ground and why planets revolve around stars.

Magnets attract some types of metals, but can also repel others. So why do we only feel gravity?

In 1915, Albert Einstein discovered the answer with his general theory of relativity. The reason gravity pulls you to the ground is because any object with Earth-like mass actually bends or curves the fabric of the universe called space-time. That curvature is what is felt as gravity.

What is space-time?

Before we get into the complex world of gravity, we need to understand space-time.

As the name suggests, spacetime is a combination of the three dimensions of space (length, width, and height) and the fourth dimension (time). Using exceptional mathematics, Einstein was the first to realize that the laws of physics operate in the universe. space and time merge.

What this means is that space and time are connected. When you move very quickly through space, time moves more slowly than for someone who is moving slowly. This is why astronauts travel so fast through space. Aging a little slower than people on Earth.

The Earth curves space-time, so you fall toward the Earth instead of away from it. Credit: Tokamac/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Matter does not create gravitational hills, but gravitational springs.

Recall that gravity is the idea that objects in the universe are attracted to each other because space-time is curved and curved. When Einstein came up with the theory of general relativity, he showed that all objects in the universe can bend space-time. In physics terminology, matter is mass and energy.

Your brain normally thinks of the world in three dimensions, so it’s very difficult to think of the four dimensions of space-time as a single idea. To help you visualize it, imagine the surface of a trampoline. If nothing is placed on it, it is flat. However, when you stand on a trampoline, the trampoline stretches out beneath your feet, creating a valley around you. When a ball is on the trampoline, it will roll towards your feet.

Gravity acts in the same way that objects roll toward your feet when you stand on a trampoline.

This is a two-dimensional example of how space-time works. Your mass stretched the trampoline, creating a so-called gravity well into which the ball would roll. This is very similar to the way the gravity of a heavy object like the Earth pulls things like you and me towards it.

Even more strangely, space and time are connected. Time is also stretched by heavy objects.!

In the movie “Interstellar”, the characters go to a planet close to Earth. Black HoleAnd while there, they age more slowly than others.

The heavier the weight, the steeper the sides of the trampoline will be. This is why really huge objects in the universe, such as the sun and black holes, have stronger gravity than Earth.

So why does gravity pull you down instead of pushing you away?

Imagine someone gets under a trampoline and gets pushed up. The ball rolls away! This would be a gravity hill, not a gravity well. As far as scientists know, matter, or objects, always create gravity wells, but not gravity hills. Scientists can imagine something made of exotic matter or energy that would force gravity to push you into space, but so far they have discovered nothing that would force gravity to push you away from Earth. There are no people.

Written by Mario Borunda, Associate Professor of Physics, Oklahoma State University.

Adapted from an article originally published in conversation.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Debut of 440-mile range All-electric Lucid Gravity SUV

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EV maker Lucid has completed the long-awaited Gravity. It’s an all-electric three-row SUV with the range to leave your Tesla Model X, Fisker Ocean, or Rivian R1S behind at a charging station.

The importance of Lucid Gravity, and more appropriately the recognition it receives, is essential for EV manufacturers. The company’s first EV, the Lucid Air sedan, has been well received. But demand has been weak this year, forcing automakers to cut prices and lower production estimates for this year.

Gravity could help Lucid regain its footing in the increasingly competitive EV industry. Of course, Lucid has to actually start the vehicle.clear delay In this respect, sedans and SUVs are no different. The company originally aimed to start manufacturing the Gravity SUV at the end of 2023, but in August the production date was changed to the end of 2024.

Lucid Gravity Basics

Image credits: clear

Lucid boasts that this EV “heralds the dawn of a new era for electric SUVs.” This tone has an explanation. As the sale of Lucid’s first vehicle (a luxury sedan called the Air) Not as good as that, its future now depends on whether Gravity can actually become a force in the EV market. But this is a new era for Lucid. And the all-electric SUV designed by the company has some notable attributes, including a rugged, low-slung design with a sport tail at the rear, all of which contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.24. I am. Its aerodynamic design is one element of his that contributes to battery life. Lucid also claims the vehicle accelerates from his 0 to 60 in less than 3.5 seconds. one more second longer than what Tesla claims for the Model X plaid.

Lucid Gravity features a compact powertrain with an EV motor and 900-volt electrical architecture. Payload capacity exceeds 1,500 lbs, plus 6,000 lbs. The company claims that the towing capacity is not sufficient. Lucid estimates Gravity’s range to be over 440 miles. Lucid boss Peter Rawlinson said in a statement that the expected range would be possible “with just over half the battery packs of our battery-hungry competitors.” If Lucid performs as suggested in real-world conditions, it will be the longest-range electric SUV on the market.

The vehicle appears to be able to charge like a Tesla, giving it 200 miles of range in about 15 minutes on a fast charger. The company says the seven-seat SUV will have a starting price of less than $80,000. If history is any guide, there will be plenty of add-ons and trim levels that far exceed that price point.

Inside the clear gravity

Image credits: clear

Inside, the SUV features a 34-inch curved OLED screen that floats above a redesigned steering wheel. Like the Air, the Lucid enhances the interior touches.

Of note is the seven-seater configuration and console that slides open for additional storage. Lucid said these sliding second-row seats, combined with an integrated convenient table, provide an “enhanced backseat experience.”

The company says the second- and third-row rear seats both fold flat for a total of more than 112 cubic feet of usable cargo space.

Source: techcrunch.com