Gravity - Force or Result?

Question

I am no Physicist, but I enjoy reading about Physics. However reading about leading theories such as M-Theory and others they speculate about the existence of the Graviton. In my past reading of [General Relativity](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_relativity) it was explained that Gravity was a result of the bending of space/time, so from that I have always thought of Gravity as a result not a force. If it is a result and not a force why would anyone be looking for a force carrying particle? Where am I going wrong here?

Answer 1

Well you are not going wrong at all.

You are considering a single phenomenon and -

Like we all do -

We look for a single explanation for the truth.

However.

In many extraordinary cases - there are more than one model that explains things.

In light - we have the notion that light is well-understood - as a particle

But we also know that it is well-understood as a wave

Not only is neither incorrect - but both views are not just interesting but essential in our understanding

A less sophisticated example might be that when we look at an object thrown up in the air

We can solve this problem quite perfectly using the ol' s = (1/2)(at^2) + (v0)(t) + (s0) equation for motion

It all makes perfect sense

As an alternative - we can simultaneously solve these things via energies (kinetic and potential and conservation).

I teach physics - but even to this day - a part of me is surprised every time the answers agree to these things !

So the real answer to your dilemma - is that there is no dilemma ;-)

You are spot on

And dont even get me started on quantum mechanics and the fact that the darned photons go through BOTH SLOTS ! ;-)