String theory is a quantum field theory that aims to unite gravity with all the other forces that affect matter. This is because gravity is a naturally occurring consequence of the maths within the theory. By doing this, it would be able to reconcile general relativity with quantum physics, something that has not been doable for a long time.
Though there are many variations to string theory, such as bosonic string theory and the more advanced M-theory, but the one fundamental concept within this is that of vibrating filaments of energy, which we call strings. These strings are one dimensional and can come in 2 varieties: open strings and closed strings. As stated in the name, an open string has two ends which are not in contact with each other while the closed strings have no ends. These strings can undergo these five interactions, based upon their ability to join and split.
The introduction of closed strings is important to this theory because this type of string has properties which physicists think might describe gravity. I will focus more on the quantum gravity aspect of this theory in this post. Another concept within string theory, which was introduced later on in M-theory is branes (not the ones that we use to think; more along the lines of membranes). These are 2D sheets which can have strings attached to them (both open and closed).
Within string theory, there are many more dimensions than just our 4 (height, length, width and time). In fact, there are 11 of them. However, these dimensions are compactified, which means that they are so small that they are beyond our perception. So a particle is a point at which the string wraps around the compactified dimensions. The length of a string represents how heavy the particle is. For example, think that the extra dimensions are compactified into the shape of a doughnut. If the string wraps around a single part of the donut, passing through the middle hole, (which is the shortest route), this will be a lighter particle in terms of mass. However, if the string wraps around the entire circumference of the doughnut, then this is a longer route and thus will be a much heavier particle.
A problem in this theory that has yet to be resolved is spacetime. Because Einstein's special relativity includes a Minkowski Space (which is basically a fancy name for spacetime) and string theory is trying to bridge the gap between this and quantum theory, it needs to account for it. However, it has not been proven yet how the spacetime will emerge from this theory.
Though there are many variations to string theory, such as bosonic string theory and the more advanced M-theory, but the one fundamental concept within this is that of vibrating filaments of energy, which we call strings. These strings are one dimensional and can come in 2 varieties: open strings and closed strings. As stated in the name, an open string has two ends which are not in contact with each other while the closed strings have no ends. These strings can undergo these five interactions, based upon their ability to join and split.
Within string theory, there are many more dimensions than just our 4 (height, length, width and time). In fact, there are 11 of them. However, these dimensions are compactified, which means that they are so small that they are beyond our perception. So a particle is a point at which the string wraps around the compactified dimensions. The length of a string represents how heavy the particle is. For example, think that the extra dimensions are compactified into the shape of a doughnut. If the string wraps around a single part of the donut, passing through the middle hole, (which is the shortest route), this will be a lighter particle in terms of mass. However, if the string wraps around the entire circumference of the doughnut, then this is a longer route and thus will be a much heavier particle.
A problem in this theory that has yet to be resolved is spacetime. Because Einstein's special relativity includes a Minkowski Space (which is basically a fancy name for spacetime) and string theory is trying to bridge the gap between this and quantum theory, it needs to account for it. However, it has not been proven yet how the spacetime will emerge from this theory.
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