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What are the discrete symmetries of General Relativity? Is it invariant under CP, C, P,T or all?

User Karls
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Final answer:

The discrete symmetries of General Relativity are not directly related to CP, C, and P symmetries from quantum mechanics, but it is generally considered T-invariant. GR is used to describe large-scale gravitational phenomena, while special relativity, quantum mechanics, or classical physics are used depending on the context and gravity's influence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the discrete symmetries of General Relativity and whether it is invariant under transformations such as CP (Charge Parity), C (Charge), P (Parity), T (Time Reversal), or any combination of these. General Relativity (GR) is a theory of gravitation that describes the fundamental interaction between spacetime and matter. Unlike non-relativistic classical physics, GR is consistent with both special relativity and the principles of general covariance, which dictate that the laws of physics are the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion or position in spacetime.

Special Relativity, which includes the Lorentz transformations and concepts such as time dilation and length contraction, is a precursor to GR and applies to the special case where the influence of gravity is negligible. When gravity cannot be ignored, General Relativity is necessary to describe the dynamics. GR is not a quantum theory; therefore, it does not inherently include the quantum symmetries C, P, or T. Nevertheless, it is generally assumed that GR is at least time-reversal invariant (T-invariant), given that the fundamental equations of GR, the Einstein field equations, do not differentiate between the past and future. CP violation is a property of the weak force and has been observed in particle physics, but such violations have not been associated with gravity or general relativity directly.

General Relativity is used in scenarios where gravitational effects are significant, such as around massive bodies like stars and galaxies, or when dealing with cosmological scales and strong gravitational fields like black holes. On smaller scales or in weaker gravitational fields, special relativity, quantum mechanics, or classical Newtonian physics may be used, depending on the situation and the precision required. The conservation laws in physics, such as those for energy, momentum, and angular momentum, are deeply connected to symmetries in time, space, and rotational invariance, respectively. These conservation laws help us predict the outcome of physical processes and are critical in understanding how symmetries dictate physical laws.

User Orszaczky
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