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Is gravity quantum? Experiments could finally probe one of physics’ biggest questions

Physicists are developing laboratory tests to give insight into the true nature of gravity.
By
  1. Davide Castelvecchi
Conceptual illustration of two red and green apples, made of particles, above a grid representing warped space time. Around the grid there are waves and fuzzy dots representing the quantum world.

Illustration: Adrià Voltà

Quantum physics is often described as the most successful scientific framework in history. In its 100 years of existence, it has explained everything from the periodic table of the elements to how stars shine. But there is one fundamental phenomenon it can’t explain: gravity.

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Nature 644, 320-323 (2025)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-02509-7

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 14 August 2025: This article originally gave an incorrect affiliation for Sabine Hossenfelder — she is a theoretical physicist at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy in Germany.

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