ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ashtekar variables

Ashtekar variables are a special way to describe gravity or the way objects are attracted to each other. The idea behind Ashtekar variables is to break down gravity into smaller pieces that are easier to understand. They are named after an Indian physicist called Abhay Ashtekar.

Think of a piece of paper that you want to fold into a complicated shape. It is difficult to do it all at once, but if you fold it into smaller parts, it becomes easier. Ashtekar variables do the same thing - they break down gravity into smaller, more manageable parts.

To understand Ashtekar variables, you need to know about space and time. Just like you move forward in time, objects move through space. It's how we get from one place to another. Gravity is the force that pulls us to the ground and keeps the moon in orbit around the Earth.

To describe how gravity works, scientists use equations called "field equations." These equations tell us how objects move through space in the presence of gravity. Ashtekar variables are a way to rewrite these equations in a more manageable format.

The Ashtekar variables describe gravity using two main things: connections and loops. Connections describe how objects move through space, while loops describe how objects are connected to each other. It's a bit like a big spider web.

Ashtekar variables are useful because they allow scientists to study gravity in a new and interesting way. They have helped researchers better understand black holes, which are objects that have such strong gravity that nothing, not even light, can escape them.

In summary, Ashtekar variables are a special way to describe gravity using connections and loops. They allow scientists to better understand complex phenomena like black holes.