Transcript Slide 1
The String Theory
Is string theory the answer to
finding a set of rules for the entire
universe?
Rule 1: The Universe
The Theory of Relativity:
According to Einstein
Space and time are not rigid
Space can bend
Energy and Matter tells space how to
bend
Space tells matter how to move
F21 = (GmM)/ r^2
G = 6.67 x 10-11Nm^2/kg^2
Rule 2: Quantum Physics
Deals with the other three forces:
Strong Force
Force that holds the nucleus together
Weak Force
Force that transforms quarks
Quarks are particles that make up protons and neutrons
Electro-magnetic Force
Forces between charges
The Problem
Two Rules for one world
Fantastic Four
There are Four Forces that control all the
universe
Gravity
Weak
Force
Strong Force
Electro-Magnetism
Explaining how these four forces work
TOGETHER in both the quantum world and
the relativistic world is the challenge of
modern day physicists.
The String Theory History
1921
Kaluza-Klein Theory
1984
1970
Official Birth of String
Theory
1974
Graviton is Discovered
Perhaps this is the
theory to unify all the
forces
Anomalies of String
theory disappear
allowing the string
theory to be accepted
by the populace
1990s
String theory splits into
5 separate theories
but is united under one
M-Theory
String Theory
String theory is the theory that all the world is
made of tiny string of energy that are vibrating in
different patterns
When string theory was first developed, there
were 5 theories that came out of it. 4 theories
worked in a 10 dimensional world and 1 theory
worked in an 11 dimensional world
Going from only two laws to five?
M-Theory
Known as the Mother,
Matrix, Magic,
Membrane, or
Mystery Theory
United the string
theory stating that the
5 string theories were
just different parts of
this overall theory.
More than 4 Dimensions?
In order to completely explain all the
movements of a string that could create
the universe we live in, 10 and in some
cases 11 dimensions are needed.
The Four Dimensions we know of:
Right/Left
Up/Down
Forward/Backwards
Time
Shadows on a Wall
Cambridge University
In order to explain the extra
dimensions
Think of yourself in a cave
On the wall you see shadows
that are two dimensional
compared to the three
dimensional world that you are
in
To explain extra dimensions
think of yourself now as the
shadow in a world of larger
dimensions
Parallel Universes
The Elegant Universe, a education video by
Brian Greene, explains these extra
dimensions as Parallel Universes
We can not pass through to these dimensions
The Big Bang could possible the dimensions
hitting one another
These parallel dimensions are like slices of
bread. Our universe is just one slice of bread in
an entire loaf.
Another Idea
What if we were strings in another universe?
Such that the strings in our universes could possibly
be universes of their own.
Strings, according to physicists, can stretch to form
objects that look like flattened strings that have
expanded towards their centers
If we were a string in another universe and the strings
in our universe were actually universes that would
explain that when we get closer to the size of these
strings we could detect more than just the 4
dimensions of our own world but the 3 or so of the
universe in the string it’s self.
Any ideas about this?
Is this the Answer?
Is the M-Theory the overall rule for the
universe?
At the moment it is just a pile of mathematical
equations that work out eloquently.
“Some say it's like a computer dropped into
the 19th century. No one can figure out how it
works because the science behind it hasn't
yet been invented.”
K.C. COLE, Times Science Writer
Is this the Answer? (cont’)
Brian Greene states it best saying,
"Today's physicists are in possession of
what may well be the Holy Grail of modern
science, but they can't unleash its full
predictive power until they succeed in
writing the full instruction manual."
Sources Included
The PBS Nova Production: The Elegant
Universe hosted by Brian Greene
1999 Los Angeles Times
Cambridge University
http://www.2think.org/t000104312.shtml
http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/gr/public/qg_ss.html
http://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/mod_tech/node54.htm
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http://superstringtheory.com/