Publication Date

5-2026

School

College of Arts and Sciences

Major

Engineering: Mechanical

Keywords

Loop quantum gravity, general relativity, quantum gravity, quantum mechanics

Disciplines

Cosmology, Relativity, and Gravity | Other Physics | Quantum Physics

Abstract

While general relativity and quantum mechanics have proved to be successful theories with elegant explanations of special cases, an underlying theory is needed to harmonize their copious discrepancies. Popular theories to reconcile the two are broadly termed “quantum gravity,” which refers to theories that introduce a discretized component of gravity either by directly suggesting gravitational quanta or attempting to discretize spacetime geometry. Loop quantum gravity falls under the latter category; it respects the background independence intrinsic to general relativity while attempting to provide an explanation of underlying quantum behavior via Planck-scale-level geometrical discretization. This thesis aims to provide a primer of conceptual information relating to loop quantum gravity via an integrative literature review primarily focusing on the foundations of the theory—specifically, general relativity and loop quantum gravity. The thesis finds that while the theory is well-developed mathematically, it remains highly abstract in execution and requires further conceptual and empirical development before it can be considered as a rigorous candidate for a unifying theory of quantum gravity.

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