Polish experts say the universe is like an orange peel – and it’s mind-blowing!
For over a century, scientists have been trying to reconcile two fundamental pillars of human knowledge: general relativity, which explains the cosmos on a large scale, and quantum mechanics, which operates on the smallest of scales. Both theories work perfectly in their own realms, but when combined, they fall apart.
Two theories that explain almost everything… but not together
General relativity, developed by Albert Einstein between 1915 and 1916, describes the universe as a fabric of space and time warped by matter. Gravity, in this theory, is not a force but a curvature in the cosmic fabric. On the other hand, quantum mechanics, born in the early 20th century thanks to scientists like Max Planck and Schrödinger, states that the universe is made up of discrete energy and matter, behaving probabilistically and unpredictably. The issue arises when trying to merge these two theories due to their conflicting nature.
The new proposal: the “Tensor Alena”
A group of researchers from the Universities of Warsaw and Krakow in Poland has introduced a new approach. They propose the use of a mathematical tool called the Alena Tensor, which transforms curved space-time into a flat space while retaining the necessary physical information. This allows for the application of known quantum laws on this new framework, resulting in surprising outcomes that align with fundamental quantum equations.
A step towards the unified theory of the universe?
If the Polish model is confirmed, it could mark the first coherent formulation that unites general relativity and quantum mechanics under a single mathematical structure. This reinterpretation of the cosmos’ geometry suggests that space-time, as described by Einstein, may actually be a simpler, more fundamental structure on which all forces act. This potential breakthrough opens up a new horizon for physics, offering a deeper understanding of the universe beyond its current complexities.
