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arXiv:1001.0785hep-th

On the Origin of Gravity and the Laws of Newton

Erik P. Verlinde

Abstract

Starting from first principles and general assumptions Newton's law of gravitation is shown to arise naturally and unavoidably in a theory in which space is emergent through a holographic scenario. Gravity is explained as an entropic force caused by changes in the information associated with the positions of material bodies. A relativistic generalization of the presented arguments directly leads to the Einstein equations. When space is emergent even Newton's law of inertia needs to be explained. The equivalence principle leads us to conclude that it is actually this law of inertia whose origin is entropic.

arXiv comments
29 pages, 6 figures
Journal reference
JHEP 1104:029,2011
DOI
doi:10.1007/JHEP04(2011)029
Subjects
hep-thHigh Energy Physics, Theory

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Linked by 8 identifiable commenters in 8 comments across 7 threads, from Feb 2010 to Feb 2019. Found in 1 HN submission from Aug 2024 to Aug 2024. Open submission discussions.

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Discussed in comments7 threads

  1. What every physicist should know about string theory 1 comment
  2. First test of new theory of gravity 1 comment

    • He's well-qualified. His background is in string theory. His theory is described in this paper: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1001.0785v1.pdf And the Wikipedia article about it is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropic_gravity It's argued here that there's observational evidence…

      DonaldFiskView on HNParent context

  3. [dead] 1 comment

    • Original paper at [0], some corrections/comments at [1,2]. [3] argues that the proposed new ideas and the classical (Newtonian, If I understood this correctly) concept of gravity are actually identical, given suitable identifications of various entities. [0]…

      claudiusView on HNParent context

  4. Physicist proposes new way to think about intelligence 1 comment

    • As referenced in the paper, Verlinde proposed that gravity is an entropic force: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropic_gravity I highly recommend Verlinde's brilliant paper, it's an easy read: http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.0785 The theory remains controversial, but it's a valuable…

      mikhailfrancoView on HNParent context

  5. Should we worry about what the LHC is not finding? 1 comment

    • Gravitons are the kookiest theoretical particle I have ever heard of. I had an intuition that they were kooky and contrived when I first heard of them as a child, and now that I know more about them and gravity, I have even more disbelief in them. Why people still believe in…

      hammockView on HNParent context

  6. Is Gravity Real? A Scientist Takes On Newton 2 comments

    • I haven't had a chance to go through the paper yet (http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.0785), but it seems that he does make some derivations and proof sketches. Can someone verify this?

      vecterView on HNParent context

    • Original paper (degree in Physics needed): http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.0785 Discusion of the paper: http://badphysics.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/%E2%80%9Con-the-o... Reply(s) by the author, Verlinde: http://staff.science.uva.nl/~erikv/page20/page18/page18.html

      MaroView on HNParent context

  7. The entropy force: a new direction for gravity 1 comment

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