MadSci Network: Physics |
Hi Peter,
According to theory, the graviton (like all massless particles) travels at
the speed of light.
The graviton is a particle predicted by our (incomplete) theories of quantum
gravity, the combination of gravity and quantum mechanics. No one has (yet)
successfully combined
general relativity (gravity) and quantum mechanics, but it seems clear that
any such combined theory must include a massless particle called the
graviton, which should travel at the speed of light. Gravitational
radiation should also exist and travel at the speed of light, but has not
yet been directly observed (as of February, 2000). Gravitational radiation
has been indirectly shown to exist, because we see pulsars (rotating neutron
stars) slow down at the rate predicted by theory, which includes an
allowance for the energy lost via gravitational waves. You can find more
detail about the speed of gravity at
this site,
this site, and
this site.
If you have further questions about this, you are welcome to contact me
directly at
stevenlevin@we.mediaone.net. I'd also be interested to learn what led
you to conclude that gravitons must travel faster than light.
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.