New theory challenges the theory of relativity: Was Einstein wrong?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The new theory seems to challenge the theories of physicist Albert Einstein, while opening up new avenues for unifying gravity and quantum mechanics.

A new physics theory is shaking the foundations of relativity, proposing for the first time a complete quantum gravity model without the need for extra spatial dimensions, opening up the possibility that Einstein was wrong about the true nature of gravity (Illustrative image: Getty).

A recently published theoretical physics paper is creating a turning point in the effort to unravel quantum gravity – one of the universe's greatest mysteries.

There, for the first time, scientists proposed a theory that could potentially connect gravity to quantum mechanics without resorting to controversial assumptions such as extra dimensions. The work, led by physicists Mikko Partanen and Jukka Tulkki (Aalto University, Finland), was published in the journal Reports on Progress in Physics .

In their report, they argued that Einstein's general theory of relativity, while a cornerstone of modern physics, still fails to fully explain phenomena at the subatomic level, where quantum physics reigns supreme.

A new approach: Quantum gravity field

The breakthrough in Mikko Partanen and Jukka Tulkki's theory lies in replacing the "curved spacetime" model with a system of four interacting quantum fields.

There, these fields do not warp spacetime as Einstein described, but interact with mass in much the same way that electromagnetic fields interact with electric charges and currents.

The new theory does not require any free parameters other than the existing physical constants (Illustrative image: Getty).

Remarkably, the model still reproduces general relativity at the classical level, while simultaneously opening up the possibility of describing quantum effects mathematically in a consistent manner. As a result, the theory avoids unknowns in modern physics such as negative probability or non-physical infinity.

To achieve this, the new model does not require the existence of hypothetical particles or unverified tuning parameters, unlike many other theories.

The authors state that their theory uses only known physical constants, which minimizes the risk of error and broadens the opportunity for future experimental verification.

The application has potential, but still needs to be verified.

Although considered a major breakthrough, this theory is still in its early stages. Specifically, it has not yet been able to solve core problems in cosmology, such as the nature of black holes or the mechanism of the Big Bang.

More importantly, experimental verification remains a challenge, as gravity is the weakest interaction in nature, and its quantum effects are extremely small.

However, the theory's potential is enormous. If correct, it could not only quantize gravity—something scientists have been pursuing for almost a century—but also contribute to building a unified theory of everything that brings all the forces in nature into a single mathematical model.

Researchers are optimistic that, with advancements in measurement technology and experimental equipment, indirect evidence or the first experimental signs of quantum gravity could emerge within the next few decades.

If confirmed, it would not only redefine gravity but also show that even Einstein, however great he was, could have been wrong.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/ly-thuyet-moi-thach-thuc-thuyet-tuong-doi-einstein-da-sai-20250527070318079.htm