Can gravitons have mass?

Gravitons do indeed have mass, and their motions generate kinetic energy. Thus, they have both energy and mass, and they obey the law of conservation of energy and matter. If gravitons did not have mass there would be no physics that we could understand.

Why is it so hard to detect a graviton?

Experimental observation. Unambiguous detection of individual gravitons, though not prohibited by any fundamental law, is impossible with any physically reasonable detector. The reason is the extremely low cross section for the interaction of gravitons with matter.

Do gravitons have a mass?

In Einstein’s version, gravitons are assumed to be massless. If gravitons have a mass, then gravity is expected to have a weaker influence on very large distance scales, which could explain why the expansion of the universe has not been reined in.

What is the theory of massive gravity?

The theory, known as massive gravity, modifies Einstein’s general relativity, positing that the hypothetical particles (gravitons) that mediate the gravitational force themselves have a mass. In Einstein’s version, gravitons are assumed to be massless.

What is a graviton in quantum mechanics?

In quantum mechanics, the graviton is a hypothetical elementary particle that mediates the force of gravitation in the framework of quantum field theory. If it exists, the graviton must be massless and must have a spin of 2. This is because the source of gravitation is the stress-energy tensor, a second-rank tensor.

What is Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity?

In the late 1600s, Isaac Newton devised the first serious theory of gravity. He described gravity as a field that could reach out across great distances and dictate the path of massive objects like the Earth. Newton’s theory was stunningly effective, yet the nature of the gravitational field remained a mystery.