Has string theory been disproven?

Question

Someone I know told me that string theory was disproven. I doubt this but I am not really sure. He said it was disproven only a few months ago. Does anyone know the truth about this matter?

Answer 1

Certainly not disproven, but found to be different aspects of a higher order of equations. There were 5 competing String theories, as well as a separate, but similar, theory called supergravity. these theories competed for many years but recently it was found that the combination of the 2 different types of mathematics resulted in what we now call M-Theory. Basically when the Supergravity equations are applied to the String Theory equations, the 'strings' turn into membranes, which is where the M comes from. Take a look at the link below for more detail. Its fascinating.
So to answer you question the String Theory equations were, and continue to be, valid...they were just misnamed as String theory

Answer 2

String Theory Disproved

Answer 3

RE:
Has string theory been disproven?
Someone I know told me that string theory was disproven. I doubt this but I am not really sure. He said it was disproven only a few months ago. Does anyone know the truth about this matter?

Answer 4

No--but nor has it been proven. String theory is extraordinarily difficult to pin down in terms of measurable predictions. Even once the LHC results come in, I wouldn't expect to see string theory proven or disproven. Another factor is that there are many, many viable variations on string theory.

Answer 5

The Higgs Boson is part of the Standard Theory, which is build around the concept of quarks. String theory postulates a different structure to insert mass into matter. So, no, the two are very separate approaches to the problem of TOE (Theory of Everything). At the moment, both the standard theory and string theory appear to give the best understanding of how the universe works, but both could be wrong.

Answer 6

There are many string theories so probably one was disproved but there are many other theories that I am sure have not been disproven yet.

Answer 7

String theory has not been disproved, but one of the strongest arguments in its defense has.

Ultimately string theory provides the theory for thousands of different and unique universes, so string theorist had to explain why our universe is the one it is, and not one of these other possible universes. The argument they came up with is the anthropic principle, which says that our universe is the way it is because it is the only possible combination of physical constants that could support life. Recently someone proved that this is not the case.

Answer 8

Nope. String theory CAN be tested, but we need upcoming satellites and instruments to do it - and we don't have them yet. Once LISA and the new supercolliders are online, we'll be able to test some of the implications of string theory. Not before.

Answer 9

Last I heard the quantum physicists are still having trouble rectifying some mathematical anomolies, but they still are very excited about the possibilities presented by the various string theories

Answer 10

No. Some physicists are just getting a little impatient with its inability to make testable predictions so far, and suspect that it may be just a bunch of pretty math.