String Theory?

Question

Someone please explain String Theory, in it's most simplest form, if possible. Basically String Theory is _________________________?

Answer 1

I would recommend checking out PBS show in string theroy http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/ It provides a good basic understanding.

Answer 2

The essential idea behind string theory is this: all of the different 'fundamental ' particles of the Standard Model are really just different manifestations of one basic object: a string. How can that be? Well, we would ordinarily picture an electron, for instance, as a point with no internal structure. A point cannot do anything but move. But, if string theory is correct, then under an extremely powerful 'microscope' we would realize that the electron is not really a point, but a tiny loop of string. A string can do something aside from moving--- it can oscillate in different ways. If it oscillates a certain way, then from a distance, unable to tell it is really a string, we see an electron. But if it oscillates some other way, well, then we call it a photon, or a quark, or a ... you get the idea. So, if string theory is correct, the entire world is made of strings!

Answer 3

The continuation of Einstein's last great work. He was trying to find the Grand Unified Theory which unified all known laws into one that could describe everything about the universe.

The problem is Einstein's Relativity isn't compatible with Quantum Mechanics. They both make sense, but don't compliment each other at all. It's an attempt to unify them, and the four fundamental forces of the universe into one primordial force.

The basic idea is that these extremely small massless strings, that are either open or closed spin and osscilate. What we percieve as matter is a manifestation of the movements of these strings. Much like, when you play a guitar a certain way, you get a certain sound, the manifestation of the movement of the guitar strings.

That's the nutshell, but it goes much much deeper than that.

Answer 4

is... Part of a larger overarching theory called M-theory. It stipulates that the smallest building blocks of matter are really "strings" similar to rubber bands (in concept) that when vibrating emit different characteristics.

String theory is a theory about the building blocks of reality.

Answer 5

A description of physical reality. Supposedly the theory behind everthing.

Answer 6

Everything is composed of tiny, tiny vibrating strings.