A new theory by physicist Ginestra Bianconi suggests that gravity might not be a fundamental force, but something that comes from entropy—the measure of disorder or information in a system. Published in Physical Review D, this framework connects gravity with quantum information, offering a new way to understand the universe by linking geometry, quantum physics, and thermodynamics.
At the center of this theory is a concept called quantum relative entropy (QRE), which measures the difference between two quantum states. Bianconi proposes that the shape of space, or spacetime, can be described using quantum rules, and that the force of gravity comes from the difference in quantum information between two versions of spacetime: one based on space itself, and the other shaped by the matter inside it.
This theory is inspired by physicist John Wheeler’s idea: “Matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter how to move.” Bianconi takes this further by using information theory and statistical mechanics to write out this relationship in mathematical form. She also applies a method called the Dirac-Kähler formalism, which helps describe particles using the language of geometry and calculus, offering a more elegant picture of how matter behaves.
A key part of the theory is a new element called the G-field. Under everyday conditions with low energy, Bianconi’s equations look like Einstein’s general relativity. But when energy or space curvature is high, the G-field becomes important. One major effect of the G-field is that it makes the cosmological constant—the term used to explain the universe’s accelerated expansion—not truly constant. Instead, it depends on the G-field, which could help explain the mysterious force known as dark energy.
The G-field also affects how we understand black holes. In Einstein’s theory, black holes are described using something called the Schwarzschild metric. But Bianconi shows that this is just an approximation. Her model, which includes the G-field, gives a more complete explanation. This matters because it might help solve the black hole information paradox, which asks whether information that falls into a black hole is truly lost forever or somehow remains.
Bianconi’s work suggests that the quantum information in a black hole follows the “area law”—a known rule in black hole thermodynamics. This supports the idea that understanding gravity through quantum information could give us new answers about black holes and the universe itself.
Unlike some other theories of gravity that are based mostly on experiments, Bianconi’s approach is built from basic principles and logic. It connects her earlier research on complex systems and network geometry with her current work on gravity. She believes that combining different fields of science—like physics and information theory—could help us understand the universe in new ways.
While the theory is still being developed, Bianconi hopes it will lead to real-world tests. For example, future measurements of dark energy could support or challenge her predictions. In the end, her theory offers a fresh and promising direction by showing that gravity might be deeply connected to quantum information.
www.physicsworld.com/a/new-research-suggests-gravity-might-emerge-from-quantum-information-theory/