Consider the followings statements with reference to the Laser Interfe...
The correct answer is option 'C' - Both 1 and 2.
Explanation:
1. It detects the gravitational waves in space-time produced by the movement of large celestial objects.
- The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) is a scientific experiment that aims to detect gravitational waves. Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time caused by the acceleration of massive objects. When large celestial objects such as black holes or neutron stars move, they create gravitational waves. LIGO is specifically designed to detect and measure these waves.
2. The LIGO detectors are sensitive to distance changes that are several orders of magnitude smaller than the length of a proton.
- LIGO consists of two identical detectors located in different parts of the United States - one in Livingston, Louisiana, and the other in Hanford, Washington. Each detector consists of two perpendicular arms, each measuring 4 kilometers in length. These arms contain laser beams that are used to measure the distance between mirrors at the ends of the arms.
- LIGO's sensitivity is incredible. It can detect distance changes that are several orders of magnitude smaller than the size of a proton. To put this into perspective, the size of a proton is approximately 0.84 femtometers (1 femtometer = 10^-15 meters), while LIGO can detect distance changes on the order of 10^-19 meters. This level of sensitivity is crucial for detecting the extremely tiny distortions in space-time caused by gravitational waves.
- LIGO achieves this high sensitivity through its advanced technology. The laser beams in the arms of the detectors are split and reflected back and forth between the mirrors, creating an interference pattern. When a gravitational wave passes through the detectors, it causes a minute stretching and squeezing of space, which affects the interference pattern. By precisely measuring this pattern, LIGO can detect and analyze the gravitational waves.
In conclusion, both statements are correct. LIGO is designed to detect gravitational waves produced by the movement of large celestial objects and its detectors are incredibly sensitive to distance changes that are several orders of magnitude smaller than the length of a proton.
Consider the followings statements with reference to the Laser Interfe...
Recently, Scientists have found evidence to suggest that the universe is replete with low-frequency gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of space-time, predicted by Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity more than 100 years ago.
About Gravitational Waves:
- Gravitational waves were first detected in 2015 using an experiment involving Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) detectors.
- But those waves were of high frequency and believed to have been produced by the merger of two relatively small black holes that took place about 1.3 billion years ago.
- Scientists have been looking for low-frequency gravitational waves for decades. They believed that such ripples are perpetually rolling through space like background noise.
- Pairs of supermassive black holes, sitting at the centre of galaxies, merge across the universe, generating gravitational waves. This breakthrough provides enough data to suggest that there is a gravitational wave background which exists in our universe.
- To discover low-frequency gravitational waves, scientists used entirely different technologies that were carried out by radio astronomers representing five different international teams, including Indian Pulsar Timing Array (InPTA).
- The researchers used six large radio telescopes around the world, including the one in Pune, to study objects called pulsars, distant rapidly-rotating neutron stars that emit pulses of radiation, observed from the Earth as bright flashes of light.
- These bursts take place at exact intervals, and therefore scientists use pulsars as ‘cosmic clocks.
- After examining 25 pulsars over 15 years, Scientists have proposed that the observed inconsistencies were due to deformities caused in space-time by gravitational waves. These irregularities showed consistent effects of the presence of gravitational waves.
About LIGO:
- LIGO is an international network of laboratories that detect the ripples (gravitational waves) in space-time produced by the movement of large celestial objects like stars and planets.
- These ripples were first postulated in Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which encapsulates our current understanding of how gravitation works.
- The LIGO detectors are sensitive to distance changes that are several orders of magnitude smaller than the length of a proton.
- The experiment works by releasing light rays simultaneously in both chambers. Usually, the light should return at the same time in both chambers.
- However, if a gravitational wave passes through, one chamber elongates while the other squishes, resulting in a phase difference in the returning light rays. Detecting this phase difference confirms the presence of a gravitational wave.
What is Space-time?
- In Special Theory of Relativity, Einstein proposed that space and time don’t exist as independent entities, combining the three dimensions (height, width and depth) of space and one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional continuum, known as space-time.
Hence both statements are correct.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.