What powers the Strings?

Question

I'm not quite sure how to phrase this. Strings are thought to be/exist in multi-dimensional fields of energy, right? Is it a valid question to ask what "makes up" this energy? What sort/kind/form of energy is it? Does it have a source (big bang) ? How/when/will it run down/out?

Answer 1

I'll bet it's the atomic tension they are under. How's that for an answer right from the psyche. You know that magnetism works by proximity of fields of energy - well, like that. Energy is always a kind of dynamic tension, isn't it? So the whole thing is activated or "powered," to use your word, by that same dynamic tension. What comes to mind is the common magnet. You look at it, and nothing moves. But if you move it toward a piece of metal, a lot happens - click! The two become joined. Dynamic tension. My feeling about answering the sense of your question is to aim you toward the proximity of the dynamic tensions these very strings are under. There has to be something dynamic to hold it all together. If it were passive, non-dynamic, inert, there would be very little to call attention to it and it would just become an aspect of something moving slower. That is what I come up with. What is your take on it all? You already know what energy really is... well think of it as specific kinds of energy held in place by their proximity to one another and I think you will be approaching a definition of what "powers" the Strings. Sent to you by Chris in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A. (I am 63 years old.)

Answer 2

I'm now approaching the end of Brian Greene's more recent book, "The Fabric of the Cosmos", and have gotten beyond strings to branes.

Anyway, your questions are good ones, and I don't think he addresses them directly. If n-dimensional strings are fundamental units that comprise the universe -- quarks, photons, gluons, gravitons, etc. -- then their identity/energy level/properties are determined by their various frequencies and amplitudes. Once established, I imagine it remains forever, unless transformed by quantum or relativistic effects.

Vibration is energy, and it's the various characteristic frequencies that give identity, so one type is an up-quark, another type a gluon, a massless photon, and so on.

This energy was probably "conferred" during the Big Bang. And I doubt that it will "wear out", just as an electron never runs out of energy. Quantum mechanics probably guarantees that.

At least this is the impression I've picked up by reading Greene.

Answer 3

Clearly you missed my posting of several days ago describing 'gap' energy. This effectively limitless energy exists on the reality/probability boundary and drives all quantum effects.

The exact nature of this energy is not yet understood, but that is not necessarily a barrier to releasing and using it; electricity was used for centuries before its nature was understood and explained. Neither do we understand the nature of gravity but that doesn't stop us from dropping kinetic harpoons.

It might be more accurate to say that IT (gap energy) caused the big bang rather than resulting from it when a quantum singularity (emerging from this quantum stew of probability particles/energy) representing the mass of the universe, flicked into being and exploded.

Answer 4

There was a recent article published in New Scientist claiming that all matter and energy is a consequence of the fabric of space-time itself. That is, special warping of space-time creates particles and energy depending on the configuration of the warping. This sounds somewhat similar to string theory to me but from another perspective. The research is still in it's infancy but it is an intriguing idea and holds promise.

Answer 5

never ending passing of gas will expand until it releases it energy to form a new sort of life force only to be consumed by the lungs of the humans within it's oder .

Answer 6

Strings are still highly theoretical - I doubt anybody can answer those questions - check out Brian Greene's "The Elegant Universe."

Answer 7

The color force that acts between quarks, which are the energy patterns inclosed within the nucleons.

Answer 8

If you mean String theory, if you will excuse the pun I think you have your wires crossed. Ooooh!

Answer 9

maybe it's a short circuit from those crossed wires yea that's it ( where is Stephen Hawking when we need him ?)

Answer 10

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