terminology

obsidian
obsidian
Joined: 8 May 05
Posts: 55
Credit: 2250121
RAC: 0
Topic 193618

what is the proper terminology? is gravitational waves the proper terminology, or is gravitational radiation acceptable?

tullio
tullio
Joined: 22 Jan 05
Posts: 2118
Credit: 61407735
RAC: 0

terminology

Quote:
what is the proper terminology? is gravitational waves the proper terminology, or is gravitational radiation acceptable?


Prof. Peter G. Bergmann, a coworker of Einstein, uses both terms in his book "The riddle of gravitation", whose Italian version I have edited.
Tullio

obsidian
obsidian
Joined: 8 May 05
Posts: 55
Credit: 2250121
RAC: 0

is the term gravitational

is the term gravitational waves appropriate for waves in spacetime and the term gravitational radiation appropriate for the emission of gravitons?

Chipper Q
Chipper Q
Joined: 20 Feb 05
Posts: 1540
Credit: 708571
RAC: 0

RE: is the term

Message 80629 in response to message 80628

Quote:
is the term gravitational waves appropriate for waves in spacetime and the term gravitational radiation appropriate for the emission of gravitons?


'Gravitational wave' is a term from general relativity to describe gravity in terms of curved spacetime, while the term 'graviton' implies a quantum theory of gravity... and the quantum mechanics of the Standard Model is still being worked out regarding gravity and compatibility of a quantum theory of gravity with general relativity...

edit – as is the case with light, and as Tullio alluded to for the case of gravitation, the term 'radiation' can be used to describe the propagation of both waves and particles...

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.