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Gravitational wave
A gravitational wave is a fluctuation in the curvature of spacetime.
Explanation
The hypothetical graviton is the energy quantum of gravitational waves. In the general theorie of relativity the gravitational constant determines the curvature of spacetime.
HistoryThe possibility of gravitational waves was discussed early on by the British electrical engineer Oliver Heaviside using the analogy between the inverse-square law in gravitation and electricity. From 1950, the American physicist Joseph Weber has intensively searched for signals of gravitational waves. These were finally detected in 2015. |