So general relativity and quantum mechanics are fragmented theories. Relativity is a platform that allows litigation support professionals, independent consultants, and thirdparty software providers to design, build, and integrate. However, there is still confusion over exactly what background independence is and how, if at all, it serves to distinguish general relativity from other theories. Quantum gravity stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Since the contemporary theory of gravity, general relativity, describes gravitation. Quantum gravity and unified theories max planck institute for. In general relativity, background independence is identified with the property that the metric of spacetime is the solution of a dynamical equation. Not just an ediscovery provider, we seek to redefine the legal and compliance functions and transform them from mere cost centers to efficient and integral parts of the value chain helping business effectively mitigate risk before it manifests. There is also some confusion over the philosophical implications of background independence, stemming in part from the. A classical condensed matter theory on a fixed background. In relativity, the gauge transformations are the smooth coordinate transformations.
This leads to a careful statement of what physicists mean when we speak of background independence. The aim of this paper is to provide an explication of this intuitive notion. Relativity, and a feature we should strive to carry forward to future physical. Great tools and code samples can be key to getting up and running quickly with any platform. Studies in history and philosophy of science part b.
The leading background independent approaches to quantum gravity are then discussed, including causal set models, loop quantum. Why einstein did not believe that general relativity geometrizes gravity. What is the best software for finite element analysis of the structures. The classical spacetime metric tensor is not given apriori, but is a solution of einsteins equations. We no longer have an external background spacetime, because spacetime is dynamical. Backgroundindependence is not a not formal property of theories.
This division is concerned with the unification of general relativity and. Interpretation of coordinate independence physics libretexts. Given this we can characterize the precise sense in which general relativity is a background independent theory. Such a formulation provides a missing conceptual ingredient in the search for a background independent quantum theory of gravity and matter. Can the theory of general relativity and the theory of quantum. State university affordable learning solutions program, and merlot. Some people always mean manifest background independence when they talk about background independence. Closely related to background independence is another basic ingredient of general relativity, known by the imposing name diffeomorphism invariance. In particular this means that it must be possible not to refer to a specific coordinate systemthe theory must be coordinatefree. Relativity userguide2 tableofcontents 1userguideoverview 6 1. Why is general relativity background independent and.
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