Can you explain this to me as best you can or tell me a good place where I can get information on this.
2007-03-21 12:36:20 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Since no one has really answered yet...i'll take a stab.
Basically String Theory by itself no longer exists. It has morphed into things like M-theory, of which the different String Theories (there are 5) are different aspects of things called branes. These branes are like a blanket on the quantum level, permeating everything and everywhere, and the Strings of String Theory are attached to these branes in different ways.
For example the string can have both ends attached to the brane, creating certain types of the particles that we see. It can have one end attached to the brane, creating other particles. And finally the string doesnt have to be attached to the brane at all, creating a closed string (a circle).
These closed strings are thought to be gravitons (the force particles for gravity), and since they arent attached to our brane, like the other forces we see, i.e. EM, strong and weak nuclear forces, they dont interact as strongly as the other forces.
This has led to the recent formulation of theories explaining why gravity is so weak compared to the other forces. Basically since the gravitons arent attached to the brane that our universe is on, and the strings that form the EM and nuclear forces are, gravity interacts much more weakly than you would expect, which is exactly what our observations have confirmed.
These theories are the beginnings, i think anyway, of a truly deeper Theory of Everything.
Progress is happening fast with the use of supercomputers to aid in calculations...only a few years ago, the 5 different string theories were thought to be completely separate mathematics, but it turns out they were just different forms of a higher set of equations (M-theory). cool huh? :) sorry for babbling.
read any of the books by Brian Greene, Lisa Randall, Leonard Susskind or Michael Kaku. Anything written by one of them will be very informative...
2007-03-21 13:50:07 · answer #1 · answered by Beach_Bum 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Search for String Theory on the web. Also try space.com for info. There are several books on the subject that can be ready by a "normal" person. The newest theory is "Brane theory" that we live in multiple universes separated by membranes.
String theory as simply as possible posits that the smallest piece of matter is a one-dimensional string, which is actually folded dimensions (there are eleven dimensions). Jeez, I am getting lost. Do a search. It is fun and it will expand your thinking.
j
2007-03-21 12:43:35 · answer #2 · answered by Jerry H 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Create a construct like E8 in over 200 dimensions and say you need to square this matrix in order to understand the theory and you have already gone way beyond my meager abilities. I can understand and comprehend general and Special Relativity. String Theory seems like the Mathmatical equivalent of Legal speak. Nobody, without specific training, can tell you that you're wrong. Even those who have mapped E8 have given themselves the out that there may be errors. i was happier just dealing with Newtonian Physics
2007-03-21 12:53:59 · answer #3 · answered by SteveA8 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To the first poster : science isn't always intuitive. Theoretical physics is very much not intuative, that's why it takes 10 years to get a degree in it.
There was a very good overview in Discovery magazine last summer. I suggest you try to find that article online. Something like 'testing string theory'.
2007-03-21 13:05:48 · answer #4 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, string teory is the theoriy of the string machines that vibrate at sub atomic levels, that make the visible universe from different vibrations. A string is a sub atomic multi dimensional, that makes the particles.
2007-03-21 17:48:20 · answer #5 · answered by Qyn 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Instead of babbling on and on about a deep complex and elegant theory it helps to do your own reasearch on it. A very good place to start is
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/
If you enjoy reading, read
The Elegant Universe by rian Greene
The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
The Universe in a nutshell by Brian Greene.
Have fun and enjoy!!!!!!
2007-03-21 16:18:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
http://superstringtheory.com/basics/index.html
It's a model in physics that supposed to explain gravity and linkage between the 4 forces by assuming matter is made of strings.
2007-03-21 12:42:13 · answer #7 · answered by tryzub91 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Watch the Elegant Universe, a NOVA program available on DVD. It's extremely well done. I show it to my students, and they love it.
2007-03-21 12:46:48 · answer #8 · answered by chemcook 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
personally I think string theory is a crock...it's not intuitive enough for me to find it reasonable.
2007-03-21 12:41:19 · answer #9 · answered by Steelhead 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Wikipedia. You might also want to lookup m-theory.
2007-03-21 12:44:16 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋