So was Einstein right? We check the theory of relativity
A Life / / December 19, 2019
One hundred years ago, in 1915, a young Swiss scientist, who at that time had already made revolutionary discoveries in physics, proposed a fundamentally new understanding of gravity.
In 1915, Einstein published general theory of relativityWhich describes gravity as a fundamental property of space-time. He presented a series of equations that describe the effect of the curvature energy of space-time and the movement of the presence in it of matter and radiation.
One hundred years later general theory of relativity (GTR) has become the basis for the construction of modern science, it has withstood all tests, with which scientists attacked her.
But until recently it was impossible to conduct experiments under extreme conditions to check the stability theory.
Clifford Will, a theoretical physicist, University of FloridaIt's amazing how strong proved to relativity in 100 years. We still use the fact that Einstein wrote!
Now scientists have the technology that allows you to search for physics beyond general relativity.
A new look at gravity
General relativity describes gravity not as a force (as it appears in Newtonian physics), but as the curvature of space-time due to the weight of objects. The earth revolves around the sun, not because it pulls the star, but because the Sun warps space-time. If stretched out a blanket to put a heavy bowling ball, apportion change shape - gravity affects space is about the same.
Einstein's theory predicted a few frantic opening. For example, the possibility of the existence of black holes, which bend space-time to such an extent that nothing can escape from the inside, not even light. evidence generally accepted view today were found based on the theory that the universe is expanding and accelerating.
General relativity has been confirmed by numerous observations. Einstein himself used general relativity to calculate the orbit of Mercury, whose movement can not be described by Newton's laws. Einstein predicted the existence of the objects are so massive that they bend light. This phenomenon of gravitational lensing, which often face astronomers. For example, the search for extrasolar planets based on the effect subtle changes in radiation, curved gravitational field of the star around which the planet rotates.
Verification of Einstein's theory
General relativity works well for normal force of gravity, as shown by experiments conducted on Earth and observing the planets of the solar system. But it never tested in extremely acute exposure in the spaces that lie at the boundaries of physics.
The most promising way to test the theory in such conditions - monitoring of changes in space-time, called gravity waves. They appear as a result of major events, at the confluence of two massive bodies such as black holes, or particularly dense objects - neutron stars.
The cosmic fireworks of this magnitude will affect the space-time only the tiniest ripple. For example, if two black holes collided and merged somewhere in our galaxy, gravitational waves could stretch and compress the distance between objects located on the earth in a meter from one another, one thousandth diameter atomic nucleus.
There were experiments that can fix the change of space-time as a result of such events.
Clifford WillThere is a good chance to fix the gravitational waves in the next two years.
Laser interferometer gravitational wave observatory (LIGO) From observatories around Richland (Washington) and Livingston (Louisiana) uses a laser to determine the smallest distortion in the double L-shaped detectors. When the space-time ripples passes through the detectors, it stretches and compresses the space, so that the detector resizes. A LIGO can measure them.
LIGO began a series of launches in 2002, but did not reach the result. In 2010, work was carried out to improve, and the company's successor, Advanced LIGO observatory should start working again this year. Many of the planned experiments aimed at searching for gravitational waves.
Another way to test the theory of relativity - a look at the properties of gravitational waves. For example, they can be polarized as the light passed through the polarized glasses. The theory of relativity predicts features of this effect, and any deviations from the calculations may be cause to doubt the theory.
unified theory
Clifford Will believes that the discovery of gravitational waves only strengthen Einstein's theory:
I think we must continue to search for evidence of general relativity, to be sure it is right.
And why do we need these experiments?
One of the most important and difficult to achieve in modern physics - find a theory that would link together the Einstein study, that is the science of the macrocosm, and quantum mechanics, The reality of the smallest objects.
Advances in this direction, quantum gravityMay be required to make changes to the general theory of relativity. It is possible that experiments in the field of quantum gravity will require so much energy that they would be impossible to carry out. "But who knows - said Will - maybe in a quantum universe, there is an effect, a slight, but available for search."