Flashcards on Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime
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What is Quantum Field Theory (QFT)?
Quantum Field Theory is a theoretical framework that combines quantum mechanics with special relativity to describe the behavior of subatomic particles.
What is curved spacetime?
Curved spacetime is a concept in general relativity where the presence of mass and energy curves the fabric of space and time, affecting the motion of objects.
What is the significance of studying Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime?
Studying Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime helps us understand the behavior of particles in the presence of strong gravitational fields and explore the nature of the universe at a fundamental level.
How does general relativity relate to Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime?
General relativity provides the framework for understanding the curvature of spacetime in the presence of mass and energy, while Quantum Field Theory describes the behavior of particles and their interactions.
What are some applications of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime?
Applications include black hole physics, cosmology, and studies of the early universe.
What is the Hawking radiation?
Hawking radiation is a theoretical prediction by physicist Stephen Hawking that black holes can emit radiation due to quantum effects near the event horizon.
What is the energy-momentum tensor in Quantum Field Theory?
The energy-momentum tensor in Quantum Field Theory describes the distribution of energy and momentum in a system and how it affects the curvature of spacetime.
What is the Unruh effect?
The Unruh effect is a theoretical prediction that an accelerating observer in flat spacetime will perceive a bath of particles, analogous to Hawking radiation in black holes.
What are some challenges in combining Quantum Field Theory and general relativity?
One challenge is the issue of renormalizability in Quantum Field Theory and the other is the need for a consistent theory of quantum gravity that describes the gravitational interaction at a quantum level.
What is a scalar field in Quantum Field Theory?
A scalar field is a type of field that assigns a scalar value to each point in space. Examples include the Higgs field.
What is the Casimir effect?
The Casimir effect is an observable force that arises due to the presence of quantum vacuum fluctuations between two uncharged conductive plates.