Possible Origin of Gravity and the Holographic Principle

Abstract

Assuming the holographic principle, the gravitational force can be formulated thermodynamically as an entropic force, but the mechanism by which the attraction between two masses occurs is not clear. The physical basis for the holographic principle is also unknown. My primary assumption is that empty space consists of discrete countable units that have on the order of one bit of entropy per cubic Planck unit. The basic idea here is simply that rather than matter just occupying empty space, the presence of matter excludes discrete units of space that have entropy. I argue that this volume exclusion of empty space leads to an attractive gravitational force and to the holographic principle.