Niriel
The entropic origin of gravity.
By Prof. Dr. Erik Verlinde, university of Amsterdam.
Abstract
Theoretical insights from black hole physics combined with recent developments in string theory suggest that at a microscopic level the Universe has a holographic description in terms of degrees of freedom that live on the boundary of space. This is called the "holographic principle". By taking the holographic principle as starting point a simple dimensional argument naturally leads to the emergence of gravity as described by the laws of Newton, or after a relativistic
generalization by the Einstein equations. At a microscopic level the gravitational force is caused by a change in the amount of information, measured by entropy, as a result of the displacements of bodies. Hence, gravity is an entropic force. String theory provides an effective framework in which the entropic origin of gravity can be made manifest. Finally, I discuss the possible implications for quantum mechanics and cosmology.
www.rug.nl/natuurkunde/nieuws/colloquia/archive/20100318P...
The entropic origin of gravity.
By Prof. Dr. Erik Verlinde, university of Amsterdam.
Abstract
Theoretical insights from black hole physics combined with recent developments in string theory suggest that at a microscopic level the Universe has a holographic description in terms of degrees of freedom that live on the boundary of space. This is called the "holographic principle". By taking the holographic principle as starting point a simple dimensional argument naturally leads to the emergence of gravity as described by the laws of Newton, or after a relativistic
generalization by the Einstein equations. At a microscopic level the gravitational force is caused by a change in the amount of information, measured by entropy, as a result of the displacements of bodies. Hence, gravity is an entropic force. String theory provides an effective framework in which the entropic origin of gravity can be made manifest. Finally, I discuss the possible implications for quantum mechanics and cosmology.
www.rug.nl/natuurkunde/nieuws/colloquia/archive/20100318P...