Scientists have made a breakthrough in measuring gravity on microscopic levels, potentially bringing them closer to understanding the concept of “quantum gravity” and solving some cosmic mysteries. Quantum physics provides the best description of the universe on tiny scales, while Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity explains physics on cosmic scales. However, there has been a missing link between the two theories for over a century. The missing link is the absence of a quantum theory of gravity. Now, an international team of researchers has successfully detected a weak gravitational pull on a tiny particle using a new technique, which could be the first step towards a theory of quantum gravity.
The Challenges of Uniting Quantum Physics and General Relativity
Quantum physics and general relativity have long been at odds with each other. Albert Einstein, the father of general relativity, was never comfortable with quantum physics due to its counterintuitive aspects. One aspect that troubled him was entanglement, which involves coordinating particles in such a way that changing the properties of one particle instantly alters the properties of its entangled partner, regardless of their distance apart. Einstein referred to this phenomenon as “spooky action at a distance” because it challenged the concept of local realism.
Local realism is the idea that objects always have defined properties and that interactions between them are limited by distance and the speed of light. It is the foundation of special relativity, which led to the development of general relativity. Despite Einstein’s reservations, scientists have proven that entanglement and other counterintuitive aspects of quantum physics are indeed real at sub-atomic scales. Pioneering experiments by physicists such as Alain Aspect, John Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger have experimentally verified the non-local nature of entanglement.
The Breakthrough Experiment
In their recent experiment, the international team of researchers used superconducting magnetic “traps” to measure the weak gravitational pull on the smallest mass ever investigated in this way. The tiny particle was levitated in the superconducting trap at extremely low temperatures, just a few hundredths of a degree above absolute zero. This frigid temperature was necessary to minimize the vibrations of the particles. The team successfully measured a gravitational pull of 30 “attoNewtons” on the particle.
To put this into perspective, one Newton is defined as the force needed to provide a mass of one kilogram with an acceleration of one meter per second per second. The gravitational force measured on the studied particles was equivalent to 0.00000000000000003 Newtons. This groundbreaking experiment opens the door for further tests with even smaller masses and the measurement of even smaller gravitational forces.
The Path Forward
The researchers believe that their new technique, which utilizes extremely cold temperatures and devices to isolate particle vibrations, will pave the way for measuring quantum gravity. By scaling down the source using this technique, they hope to reach the quantum world on both sides. This breakthrough has the potential to unravel mysteries about the universe’s fabric, from the tiniest particles to the grandest cosmic structures.
Conclusion
Scientists have made significant progress in measuring gravity on microscopic levels, bringing them closer to understanding quantum gravity and solving cosmic mysteries. The experiment involved detecting a weak gravitational pull on a tiny particle using superconducting magnetic traps at extremely low temperatures. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for further research and measurements in the field of quantum gravity. By unraveling these mysteries, scientists hope to gain insights into the universe’s fundamental workings and unlock secrets about its structure.