Equipartition of energy in the horizon degrees of freedom and the
emergence of gravity
T. Padmanabhan. (2009)cite arxiv:0912.3165
Comment: six pages; no figures.
Abstract
It is possible to provide a physical interpretation for the field equations
of gravity based on a thermodynamical perspective. The virtual degrees of
freedom associated with the horizons perceived by the local Rindler observers,
play a crucial role in this approach. In this context, the relation S=E/2T
between the entropy (S), active gravitational mass (E) and temperature (T) -
obtained previously in gr-qc/0308070 CQG, 21, 4485 (2004) - can be
reinterpreted as the law of equipartition E = (1/2) nkT where n is the number
(density) of microscopic horizon degrees of freedom. Conversely, one can use
the equipartition argument to provide a thermodynamic interpretation of even
non-relativistic gravity. These results emphasize the intrinsic quantum nature
of all gravitational phenomena and diminishes the distinction between thermal
phenomena associated with local Rindler horizons and the usual thermodynamics
of macroscopic bodies in non-inertial frames. Just like the original
thermodynamic interpretation, these results also hold for a wide class of
gravitational theories like the Lanczos-Lovelock models.
Description
Equipartition of energy in the horizon degrees of freedom and the
emergence of gravity
%0 Journal Article
%1 Padmanabhan2009
%A Padmanabhan, T.
%D 2009
%K Gravity thermodynamics
%T Equipartition of energy in the horizon degrees of freedom and the
emergence of gravity
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.3165
%X It is possible to provide a physical interpretation for the field equations
of gravity based on a thermodynamical perspective. The virtual degrees of
freedom associated with the horizons perceived by the local Rindler observers,
play a crucial role in this approach. In this context, the relation S=E/2T
between the entropy (S), active gravitational mass (E) and temperature (T) -
obtained previously in gr-qc/0308070 CQG, 21, 4485 (2004) - can be
reinterpreted as the law of equipartition E = (1/2) nkT where n is the number
(density) of microscopic horizon degrees of freedom. Conversely, one can use
the equipartition argument to provide a thermodynamic interpretation of even
non-relativistic gravity. These results emphasize the intrinsic quantum nature
of all gravitational phenomena and diminishes the distinction between thermal
phenomena associated with local Rindler horizons and the usual thermodynamics
of macroscopic bodies in non-inertial frames. Just like the original
thermodynamic interpretation, these results also hold for a wide class of
gravitational theories like the Lanczos-Lovelock models.
@article{Padmanabhan2009,
abstract = { It is possible to provide a physical interpretation for the field equations
of gravity based on a thermodynamical perspective. The virtual degrees of
freedom associated with the horizons perceived by the local Rindler observers,
play a crucial role in this approach. In this context, the relation S=E/2T
between the entropy (S), active gravitational mass (E) and temperature (T) -
obtained previously in gr-qc/0308070 [CQG, 21, 4485 (2004)] - can be
reinterpreted as the law of equipartition E = (1/2) nkT where n is the number
(density) of microscopic horizon degrees of freedom. Conversely, one can use
the equipartition argument to provide a thermodynamic interpretation of even
non-relativistic gravity. These results emphasize the intrinsic quantum nature
of all gravitational phenomena and diminishes the distinction between thermal
phenomena associated with local Rindler horizons and the usual thermodynamics
of macroscopic bodies in non-inertial frames. Just like the original
thermodynamic interpretation, these results also hold for a wide class of
gravitational theories like the Lanczos-Lovelock models.
},
added-at = {2009-12-17T08:40:30.000+0100},
author = {Padmanabhan, T.},
biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/28469db61f026e4b8bbfccc25a2231c1c/jpschaar},
description = {Equipartition of energy in the horizon degrees of freedom and the
emergence of gravity},
interhash = {042536466add20edcb991989088e5f6e},
intrahash = {8469db61f026e4b8bbfccc25a2231c1c},
keywords = {Gravity thermodynamics},
note = {cite arxiv:0912.3165
Comment: six pages; no figures},
timestamp = {2009-12-17T08:40:30.000+0100},
title = {Equipartition of energy in the horizon degrees of freedom and the
emergence of gravity},
url = {http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.3165},
year = 2009
}