gravitons
Hypothetical force mediators
Gravitons are hypothetical elementary particles that would carry the gravitational force, just as photons carry electromagnetism.
In quantum field theory, gravity should be mediated by massless particles that travel at light speed.
Gravitons remain undetected—their interactions are so weak that current technology cannot observe them directly.
String theory predicts gravitons as closed vibrating strings.
Smallest discrete unit
- particleMinute piece of matter
- bosonInteger-spin subatomic particle
- masslessHaving zero mass
- gaugeStandard of measurement
hypothetical · exchange · mediator · tensor · field · quantization · virtual · propagator
Instrument measuring wave interference
- detectorDevice that senses
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
experimental · observation · evidence · measurement · amplitude · frequency · strain · indirect
Sustained price level increase
- primordialExisting from the start
- relicPreserved ancient object
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
- universeComplete system or domain
energy · density · cosmic · thermal · production · abundance · spectrum · horizon
Structural support member
- weaponInstrument for inflicting harm
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
- tractorAgricultural pulling vehicle
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
propulsion · technology · device · shield · artificial · control · starship · levitation
quantum
Smallest discrete unit
gauge · hypothetical · exchange · mediator · tensor · field · quantization · virtual · propagator · coupling
interferometer
Instrument measuring wave interference
- detectorDevice that senses
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- signalMessage-conveying cue
noise · experimental · observation · evidence · measurement · amplitude · frequency · strain · indirect · pulsar
inflation
Sustained price level increase
- primordialExisting from the start
- relicPreserved ancient object
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
universe · energy · density · cosmic · thermal · production · abundance · spectrum · horizon · decoupling
beam
Structural support member
- weaponInstrument for inflicting harm
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
- tractorAgricultural pulling vehicle
manipulation · propulsion · technology · device · shield · artificial · control · starship · levitation · sci-fi
- gravityescape velocity, gravimeter, weightlessness, gravimetry, zero-g
- particleselectrons, electron, protons, proton, neutrons
- string theorystring theory, superstring theory, superstrings, strings, open strings
- astroparticlescosmic rays, neutrinos, gamma rays, photons, protons
- Gravity Theoriesgeneral relativity, supergravity, Kaluza-Klein theory
- quantum particlesbosons, fermions, photons, electrons, gluons