Unification Theory is the theory that there is one single equation that very neatly explains the entire universe; why it's here, why WE'RE here, where the universe is headed, etc. With the infinte possibilities of mathematics, how are mathematicians trying to find out what the equation is?
2006-09-06 05:34:40 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Scientific and mathematical answers only, please. This isn't the place for religious matters. And to anyone who thinks that sicence is a religion, you need to accept the fact that that's just not true.
2006-09-06 05:36:01 · update #1
You have misunderstood several things.
(1)
Mathematics is not about understanding the universe. Mathematics is a game where you choose some axioms, rules, and definitions, and then proceed to find out interesting consequences of this. It has absolutely nothing to do with the real world.
Now, don't get me wrong. Mathematics is useful. But that is only because of all the possible axioms, rules and definitions we could use, the ones that seem to fit the real world best, are by far the most popular. But mathematics cannot be disproved by a counterexample in nature. It is a discipline of pure thought, and will always remain that way.
(2)
There doesn't exist anything called unification theory. What you are most likely thinking about is GUT, or Grand Unified Theory. It doesn't exist either, but one hopes to find it.
(3)
GUT is not about finding a single equation that very neatly explains the entire universe. That would be impossible. What scientists are looking for when they try to find a GUT, is a theory that is not self-contradictory.
Today, we have the theory of relativity, which is great when calculations involve large objects like stars and galaxies, great speeds close to lightspeed, and the main force between objects being gravitation.
We also have quantum mechanics, which is great when calculations involve microscopic objects, such as subatomic particles, and the main forces between objects are electromagnetism, the strong force, and the weak force.
Ideally, one should be able to "sum" the rules of quantum mechanics, and end up with the theory of relativity as a result. That is not the case, however. So what physicists are trying to do, is to find a new set of laws about nature, that we will be able to derive all our current theories (including quantum mechanics and theory of relativity) from. Such a new theory must also be able to predict new phenomenons that we couldn't predict before, and that can be tested in a laboratory (such as a particle accelerator).
So far, most of the research involving the search for a GUT, has been in the area of string theory. Given the results so far, I wouldn't hold my breath while waiting for results.
(4)
A GUT will not necessary tell us why the universe is here, why we're here, where the universe is headed, etc. It might do, but personally, I find that very unlikely. Most people view these questions as within the realm of religion. There is nothing wrong with considering these questions science as well, but so far we haven't got any clue as to what kind of theory we would need to be able to answer these questions.
If we find a GUT, it won't necessarily help us answer these questions any more than Newton's laws helped us answer them, when they were formulated.
2006-09-06 05:56:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The truth is the symbols we all take for granted are the map for a growing universe. This essence of life that resides behind us all is the same one that resides behind the expanding universe I'm willing to bet on it. This non-conforming energy is expanded through the light that is catching up with it and the light that cannot reach it and the black holes inbetween causing particles to randomly disrupt the natural universal occurence. The sequence that exists in space is one that is a infinite number expressed in a finite number of ways through a common thread and many planes or dimensions. This sequence is beyond the fibonacci sequence of life it is that recurved and on it's way back with only the energy presiding.
2006-09-06 06:08:25 · answer #2 · answered by Thin King 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
String theory is the current best bet, but there's zero proof that string theory is right. It's 100% purely mathematical theory.
2006-09-06 05:40:30 · answer #3 · answered by stubber_nubber 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
painfully slowly unfortunately.
2006-09-06 05:37:53 · answer #4 · answered by Scott L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋