STRING THEORY…………… simplified!!! (just for everyone)!!!
Introduction
String theory are now like some famous Hollywood celebrities-
almost none of the documentaries on the universe ends without yelling out ‘STRING
THEORY’ and still some of you may have no idea about it except when you hear
it from Dr.Sheldon Cooper (of the sitcom ‘Bigbang theory’). But now is
the time for some science, don’t you think so?
To the ‘science
guys’:
If you already know the basics of theoretical physics,
you may find this article too boring and below your intellectual level. Perhaps,
you may want to check out other articles on this blog. There may also me other related information you would like
to share; email me or you can also post comments down here.
STRING THEORY…………….
simplified!!! (just for everyone)!!! :
LEVEL - 1
String theory refers to the mathematical models that try to
explain the four main physical forces, viz. the gravitational force, the
electromagnetic force(the force between the electrically charged particles),
the strong nuclear force(binds protons and neutrons together to form nucleus)
and the weak nuclear force(responsible for radioactive decay of sub-atomic
particles).
Classical physics describes the universe to be made up of
small particles (points) which are static (not moving) and unchanging. In
contrast, string theory describes the particle as a string or line (not a
particle or point). The string forms the four different forces by vibrating in
different ways.
Main concept
Usually, scientists think of matter as being made of very
small particles, much smaller than an atom. We cannot observe them to see their
shape. At present, mathematical formulas say the particles are point-like and
therefore have no shape at all. The main idea behind string theory is that
these small particles have shapes, and are tiny loops or strings. Because they
are so small, their actual shape does not matter much when we are looking at
larger objects. String theory suggests that when these tiny loops move fast to
and fro in various ways, they are actually a different type of matter. In other
words, if the loop oscillates (moves back and forth) in one way it becomes a
different type of matter than if it oscillates in another way.
Difficulties
There are many different versions of string theory, and none
of them are fully accurate. Often, many of them are only good guesses. Supporters
of String theory say this is because the theory is still in making and has not
been completed yet.
Another problem is
that the mathematical equations of string theory give different possible
solutions. Scientists who believe in string theory work around this problem by
picking only the results that match their observations and saying that later
they will find why the other ones are invalid. Challengers argue that we cannot
ever know if a theory is true as a whole if we only take the bits that work.
This also makes the theory very less applicable until the issue is solved, because
mathematical laws are usually used to predict what will happen in a situation -
but string theory cannot yet answer that question, because it needs to be tried
first and then scientists can pick the answers that work.
Yet another problem is that it says our universe is made of
at least 10 dimensions, while we only see four (width, height, depth, time).
String theory’s supporters say some dimensions may not be visible to us, but
others doubt there can be 6 or more hidden dimensions, or that we will never be
able to access them even if they do exist. String theory does not make guesses
that can actually be tested by scientists today or in the near future. Some
people say this makes the theory unscientific.
What can provide evidence the for string theory?
The LHC
Why do we need
the string theory?
Firstly, this theory will help to correct something
called ‘the singularity problem’ (???, it’ll be explained
in LEVEL 2) –
persistent in both the newton’s gravity laws and Einstein’s quantum mechanics.
What is the
superstring theory, then?
It actually means supersymmetric string theory i.e. it
incorporates the ‘theory of supersymmetry’* with the string theory.
*( supersymmetry is a hypothesized theory which
suggests that for every type of boson* there exists a corresponding type of fermion* with the same mass and internal quantum
numbers, and vice-versa.)
(???, it’ll be explained in LEVEL 2).
(???, it’ll be explained in LEVEL 2).
As we conclude…
What you always have to remember is: ‘the string theory’
assumes that everything in the universe is made up of tiny things called ‘strings’-
simple right?
Now,you will have to wait
till LEVEL-2.bye.
In this video, actor Morgan Freeman explains ‘the string
theory’ and its periphery. Do watch it!
