![]() In fact, when you do the mathematical calculations associated with the motion of strings in space-time, Einstein’s equations emerge which is remarkable because this implies that the general theory of relativity or Einstein’s equations are not the fundamental equations that govern the large-scale structures. It does so because one of the modes of vibrations of the strings predicts the existence of gravitons which are the force carriers for gravitational force. String theory can potentially be a viable candidate for a theory of quantum gravity reconciling the laws of quantum mechanics and the general theory of relativity. This is the problem that even Einstein couldn’t figure out but tried to work out for most of the latter part of his life. Quantum gravity is another problem that physicists have been struggling with for decades. String theory hopes to solve several mysteries related to black holes. Black holes, for example, these stuff in space are fascinating but we are still many things that we don’t know about them. All the aforementioned theories formed the foundations of modern physics but the fact is, they still haven’t been able to answer several mysteries of the universe. Newtonian mechanics or classical mechanics is also helpful in understanding the physical phenomena of the universe to a great extent but Newton left several unanswered questions that were later addressed by Einstein and even Einstein left several unanswered questions that scientists are now trying to uncover and find solutions to, one of which is string theory. Modern physics stands on two major foundations: one that governs the large-scale structures of the universe, the general theory of relativity devised by Albert Einstein in 1916, and the one that governs tiny forms of known and unknown matter, the quantum world, namely quantum mechanics. ![]() Botton left: Fields medalist and mathematical physicist Edward Witten, one of the pioneers of M-theory and superstring theory, Right: Michael Green, one of the founding fathers of string theory. ![]() Top middle: One of the pioneers of string theory, John Schwarz. String theory is also capable of explaining, not just matter, but space-time, as well. This is the fundamental idea behind the existence of different types of particles in nature. These strings, generally speaking, are of two types: open strings and closed strings. Just like that with different frequencies of tiny little vibrating strings of matter, different particles are manifested. With different vibrations of the strings of the guitar, a different note is produced, and a different piece of music is produced. You can understand these strings like the strings of a guitar. Well, it does, but it is also very consistent, at least mathematically which I’m going to talk about later in the story. One might point out that the concept of strings sounds really absurd when we think about the world practically. These strings are so tiny that when we observe them from a scaled-up frame they look nearly identical to point-like particles. These different modes of vibrations are the particles that we see and have discovered over several decades of particle experimentations. They are made of one-dimensional vibrating strings capable of vibrating in different indefinite modes. String theory states that these particles are not fundamental. ![]() Quarks, for example, are some such particles that come in a group of three that are confined together by quantum energy governed by gluons. These particles are so elementary that they cannot be further divided or separated. What is string theory?Īccording to modern quantum mechanics, matter, as we know it, is made of tiny indistinguishable particles. Let’s first analyze whether we even require the theory in the first place, where it came from, what developments have been made so far, and what its drawbacks are. ![]() String theory is one of the most controversial theories in physics where some scientists believe that it is extremely promising and solves lots of unanswered questions of the cosmos and is mathematically consistent while some others believe that it is just invalid and can never be experimentally tested. We’ve had a lot of discussions about the standard model of particle physics, the implications of quantum mechanics, what’s lacking in modern theories of quantum gravity, and so on. I shall try and keep this story as comprehensible as possible. Edward Witten, one of the leading experts on superstring theory and pioneer of M-theory “String theory is an attempt at a deeper description of nature by thinking of an elementary particle not as a little point but as a little loop of vibrating string.” A promising theory of everything or a failed scientific attempt ![]()
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