Bluffer’s guide: loop quantum gravity

How to make two of our competing laws of physics match up with each other

Laws of physics

In physics, the Standard Model is a broad theory to explain forces and particles in the universe, while general relativity explains how gravity works.

Head to head

The Standard Model and general relativity are not compatible.

One can’t explain the other. Something else must be going on to make them work together.

The peace maker

Loop quantum gravity attempts to make quantum mechanics – which governs the very smallest things in the universe – compatible with gravity.

Loop the loop

It works by breaking down space into smaller bits. It suggests space-time is not a continuous sheet, but rather lots of smaller ‘loops’ joined together.

The Big Bounce

One consequence of this theory is that there was no Big Bang, but instead a Big Bounce – something that lends itself well to Planck star theory.

Einstein to the rescue

Loop quantum gravity allows us to have a quantum theory of gravity, one that relies on Einstein’s equations from nearly a century ago.