Whats so hard about string theory?

Question

I've heard that the equations of string theory are beyond our current mathimatical understanding. Can some one tell me what's so hard about them or maybe point me to someplace that i can see the equations?

It sounds like some people have a pretty good grasp of the dimentions... is it applying all of the dimentions to the equations thats hard then?

Answer 1

The mathematical equations themselves are well grounded, its not the math thatmakes it hard. The difficulty is in verifying if its real or just fancy math, and since it has not yet been scientifically verified it remains just a theory.

There is no observational evidence (yet) that indicates string theory is real atall, partical devices exist that are trying to catch a certain particle thatmay help prove it, within 5 years we should know if its real or not.

-Ro

Answer 2

Granted you need more like a postgraduate degree in Mathematics than Physics to fully work with theory ... It's not that bad. Theory is there and is solid, but how to apply it to the real world is the question.... If you want to study String Theroy, then it's quite hard. The area of High Energy Physics is very competitive, you competing with the best of the best of Physics BS graduates, so going into that area is rough.

Answer 3

It's not just the equations, which are NOT unsolvable, but trying to comprehend the 11 dimensions that many of those equations require.

Answer 4

I get the impression that the equations are very difficult to solve, and the methods used are approximate involving perturbation methods.

Answer 5

as has been said, it's understanding the dimensions that's the problem, not the equations...

for help with visualising the dimensions, check out http://www.shoutwire.com/viewstory/18527/The_Tenth_Dimension

Answer 6

It's male dominant

Answer 7

No strings should be attached