[jeffreyH (OP)]

I was reading answers at the following page and was wondering if they were in fact correct. Any opinions?

http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/10582/the-energy-of-a-graviton

[Blame]

I'd keep wondering. In principle the graviton should be to gravity fields what the photon is to electrical fields. In reality who knows for sure?

[CPT ArkAngel]

I think it is correct. The first explanation about the apple possibly not emitting a graviton seems to be correct for an outside observer. This explanation is for gravitational waves. GWs are emitted only due to orbital instability i.e. a degenerative orbital motion and due to the finite speed of gravity. Two bodies orbiting each other and infalling toward each other while still in orbital motion.

For an apple going almost straight down, the gravitons would be exchanged between the earth and the apple. The net flow would be almost zero. The non zero part is the GW emitted outside the system. The thing is the mass of the apple is so small compared to the earth that the GW is extremely small in all cases...

[jeffreyH (OP)]

The number of gravitons generated by the earth sun system does not equate to a graviton for each of the particles of matter in the combined masses. So ultimately the emission of a graviton has to be rare on very short timescales. How does the rate of acceleration affect this process? Any ideas?

[CPT ArkAngel]

As the two bodies come closer, the acceleration is higher and the gravitational waves will increase in intensity and frequency. So yes, the number of gravitons will increase.

The exact number depends on the frequency and intensity of the waves. The problem is that the actual equations are just a model, because there is no successful theory of quantum gravity. It may be wrong on the actual frequency of gravitons. The gravitons, in the model, don't have the same frequency as the GWs. In the end, let's not forget it is theoretical.

[jeffreyH (OP)]

It shouldn't just be orbital acceleration that produces gravity waves. If an object is accelerated in a straight line then there should also be gravitational radiation. At relativistic speeds time dilation should not only affect an object but also the method used to propel it through space. Thus fuel combustion processes are also dilated. This complication can be expressed graphically. I produced such a graph and posted it somewhere in a thread in new theories. I will have to try to dig it out. It could be used explain how the expansion of the universe evolves over time. This would be useful with respect a theory of primordial gravitational waves.