Pregeometry (physics)
Encyclopedia
In physics
, a pregeometry is a structure from which geometry develops. The term was championed by John Archibald Wheeler
in the 1960s and 1970s as a possible route to a theory of quantum gravity
. Since quantum mechanics
allowed a metric to fluctuate, it was argued that the merging of gravity with quantum mechanics required a set of more fundamental rules regarding connectivity that were independent of topology
and dimensionality, and which could work independently of any assumptions we might make about the properties of a surface.
Where "geometry" could describe the properties of a known surface, and the physics of a hypothetical region with pre-defined properties, "pregeometry" might allow us to work with deeper underlying rules of physics that were not so strongly dependent on simplified classical assumptions about the properties of space.
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, a pregeometry is a structure from which geometry develops. The term was championed by John Archibald Wheeler
John Archibald Wheeler
John Archibald Wheeler was an American theoretical physicist who was largely responsible for reviving interest in general relativity in the United States after World War II. Wheeler also worked with Niels Bohr in explaining the basic principles behind nuclear fission...
in the 1960s and 1970s as a possible route to a theory of quantum gravity
Quantum gravity
Quantum gravity is the field of theoretical physics which attempts to develop scientific models that unify quantum mechanics with general relativity...
. Since quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
allowed a metric to fluctuate, it was argued that the merging of gravity with quantum mechanics required a set of more fundamental rules regarding connectivity that were independent of topology
Topology
Topology is a major area of mathematics concerned with properties that are preserved under continuous deformations of objects, such as deformations that involve stretching, but no tearing or gluing...
and dimensionality, and which could work independently of any assumptions we might make about the properties of a surface.
Where "geometry" could describe the properties of a known surface, and the physics of a hypothetical region with pre-defined properties, "pregeometry" might allow us to work with deeper underlying rules of physics that were not so strongly dependent on simplified classical assumptions about the properties of space.