CAREER: Critical Issues in Quantum Gravity

量子引力是理论物理学的一个分支，它的研究将集中在黑洞的蒸发、空间和时间的微观结构以及大爆炸上。在量子引力研究中，人们试图构建一种与相对论和量子力学兼容的引力理论，它的重要性在于，它打开了一扇通往物理现实最基本层面的窗户。如果有一场革命可以与相对论和量子力学的发现相媲美，那么量子引力领域很可能是它发生的地方。物理教育的工作将涉及力学入门和爱因斯坦的相对论。机械师的宿舍实验将使用高质量但不吓人的设备来设计，比如美泰公司的“微型风火轮”玩具车。这种非正式和互动的方法对于学生熟悉物理和建立物理直觉是必不可少的。关于相对论，我们将为非物理学家开设一门课程。因为爱因斯坦的“相对论”实际上是一个成熟的实验事实，所以任何学生都有机会分享这种对空间和时间的新理解是很重要的。

Research in quantum gravity, a branch of theoretical physics, will focus on the evaporation of black holes, the microscopic structure of space and time, and the big bang. The importance of quantum gravity research, in which one tries to construct a theory of the force of gravity which is compatible both with relativity and with quantum mechanics, is that it opens a window to the most fundamental levels of physical reality. If there is ever to be a revolution comparable to the discoveries of relativity and quantum mechanics, the area of quantum gravity is where it may well happen. Work in physics education will concern introductory mechanics and Einstein's relativity. Dorm room experiments for mechanics will be designed using high quality but unintimidating equipment such as Mattel's `micro Hot Wheels' toy cars. This informal and interactive approach is essential to students' becoming comfortable with physics and building physics intuition. Regarding relativity, a course for non-physicists will be introduced. Because Einstein's `theory of relativity' is actually a well established experimental fact, it is important that any student have the opportunity to share this new understanding of space and time.