Question for hard-core physics geeks on string theory?

Question

Ok, that should weed out most people.

I have a question for you. I am a math teacher, and got involved in a discussion with a physics teacher today after school about cosmology. The topic turned to the physical construction of strings. He maintained that a string is nothing short of a piece of spacial fabric that may have been pinched off from space fabric proper, and formed a string independently. I think he is full of bull, but in my recreational reading on string theory I have not come across much about what strings really are. I'm aware of the basic theory, how the vibrational patterns form the various bits of matter that we are aware of as the string winds it's way through multi-diminsional space.

I realize that most of this is speculative theory, but is there any convincing argument as to what a string actually might be constructed of? Or the origins of strings, if they exist?

Ok, let me specify, it was a "he" teacher, but I exaggerated his standpoint slightly for the purpose of the question. He did emphasize that it was his opinion, not scientific fact. So let's throw the conceit factor out.

Now, I asked what they are constructed of, meaning, what "constitutes" a string? I will go over the website that linlyons provided (thank you!).

I guess it boils down to this: if they are not made of anything, then they are nothing, indicating that they do take on the form of energy? Is that a logical step?

See, this is what baffles me: non-matter manifesting as matter. Is this related to Einstein and his assertation that matter is a form of energy?

Man, I love this stuff, but it sure is deep!

Answer 1

If you think of a string as 'something', you still don't have the right idea. First, their size is of the order of the Planck length, 1.6163 x 10^-35 meters. By comparison, the classical electron radius is about 2.8 x 10^-15 meters, 20 orders of magnitude larger. Second, they are generally considered fundamental. That is, they aren't composed of anything. Third, it doesn't seem meaningful to talk about what they are, just what they do (vibrate, resonate). The math has to do with those vibrations, not what's vibrating.

There are some who think strings might be composed of something yet more fundamental.

The origin of strings is the origin of matter. Big Bang cosmology extrapolates the history of the universe back to an age, I think, of less than a nanosecond. But so far, I don't know of any cosmology theory except Creation that even begins to say where it all came from.

Try to get a look at some of the math in use today to work with superstring theory. Then, think of your job as helping develop the capability within future scientists to help figure out how this universe works. That's a big task. Thanks for your part!

Answer 2

Cosmic strings appear in the form of carrying energy, resulting from the symmetry breaking phase transition in the early universe. Through gravitaional interactions, they serve as seed of structure formation attracting their neighbouring matter.

Answer 3

Uh, helllooo, math teach, given the postulate that "strings" form the BASIS of all material and energetic phenomena, by definition they could not be MADE of anything!!!

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I would add that your suggestion that "if they are not made of anything, then they are nothing" doesn't necessarily follow. This is precisely the conundrum of quantum physics: things are observed (and are therefore things) arising from non-things.

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Answer 4

Supposedly, they're made of energy. Exactly what that means, i am not certain.

It's quite possible that this energy takes the form of folds in spacetime, but that sounds like pure speculation to me.

Answer 5

I saw a really good documentary on this on PBS a while back. You might want to check their website. Also you could try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_Theory