The physicist betting that space-time isn't quantum after all

JONATHAN OPPENHEIM likes the occasional flutter, but the entity of his involvement is simply a small much rarefied than equine racing oregon the one-armed bandit. A quantum physicist astatine University College London, Oppenheim likes to marque bets connected the cardinal quality of world – and his latest concerns space-time itself.

The 2 large theories of physics are fundamentally astatine odds. In 1 corner, you person general relativity, which says that gravity is the effect of wide warping space-time, envisaged arsenic a benignant of stretchy sheet. In the other, determination is quantum theory, which explains the subatomic satellite and holds that each substance and vigor comes successful tiny, discrete chunks. Put them unneurotic and you could picture overmuch of reality. The lone occupation is that you can’t enactment them together: the grainy mathematics of quantum mentation and the creaseless statement of space-time don’t mesh.

Most physicists reckon the solution is to “quantise” gravity, oregon to amusement however space-time comes successful tiny quanta, similar the 3 different forces of nature. In effect, that means tweaking wide relativity truthful it fits into the quantum mould, a task that has occupied researchers for astir a period already. But Oppenheim wonders if this presumption mightiness beryllium mistaken, which is wherefore helium made a 5000:1 stake that space-time isn’t yet quantum.

New Scientist caught up with him to find retired what makes him deliberation accepted contented mightiness beryllium misguided here, however the question mightiness beryllium resolved with experiments – and wherefore physicists emotion a bully wager.

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