Jerusalem (ANTARA) - An international team of researchers has\nobserved long-predicted gravitational effects on falling quantum\nobjects, demonstrating that the key principles behind Einstein\u2019s theory\nof gravity remain valid even in the quantum world, according to a\nstatement from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, on\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Einstein\u2019s equivalence principle is the idea that gravity affects all\nobjects equally, regardless of their mass. According to this principle,\na free-falling observer should experience no local gravitational\nforce.<\/p>\n
However, quantum objects can behave as waves and effectively move\nalong more than one path, raising questions as to whether this principle\nremains valid when an \u2018object\u2019 does not follow a single, definite\nclassical path.<\/p>\n
In a new study published in the journal Science Advances, researchers\ntested this principle on microscopic objects governed by quantum\nmechanics. They found that gravity behaves exactly as Einstein\npredicted.<\/p>\n
The team used atoms cooled to extremely low temperatures and placed\nin a quantum state that allowed the atoms to follow two paths\nsimultaneously.<\/p>\n
They utilised the Quantum Galileo Interferometer, named in honour of\nGalileo\u2019s work on gravity. The device allowed them to split the quantum\nwave associated with an atom into two paths\u2014one path in a stationary\nposition (relative to the laboratory and Earth) and another in a state\nof free fall\u2014and then recombine the two paths to observe how gravity\nalters the wave on the falling path.<\/p>\n
When the two paths were recombined, the researchers observed a small\nchange in the quantum state of the atom, and the results were identical\nto those predicted when Einstein\u2019s principle was applied to the quantum\nwave.<\/p>\n
The researchers stated that their experiment provides insight into\none of the most fundamental questions in physics: how gravity, described\nby Einstein\u2019s theory of relativity and quantum theory, can be unified\ninto a single understanding of the universe.<\/p>\n
The researchers noted that their findings do not prove that gravity\nitself is quantum, but demonstrate that under these testing conditions,\nEinstein\u2019s equivalence principle remains valid alongside quantum\nmechanics.<\/p>\n
They added that their technique could enable future experiments with\nheavier objects, such as nanodiamonds, to test whether quantum mechanics\nmight cease to apply under extreme conditions.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/researchers-observe-predicted-quantum-gravity-phase-1788580658", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }