String Theory Essay
Man has always had many questions regarding his surroundings. We are always curious to answer many unknowns and many will remain unanswered, but what if there was a theory that would allow us to explain at least all of nature’s forces within a single all encompassing coherent framework. What does this exactly mean? Well, explaining the universe in the most intricate and basic detail so one can stand in awe of its beauty and elegance. There is an idea floating around these days that we might have come across this unified field theory as Einstein would call it. It has been called superstring theory. Supposedly it can explain our universe in the most basic of terms, to the most undividable element. That would mean we might be closer to examining the core of our being perhaps. What everything is made of. The most basic component. Knowing the answer to that would be a giant step in our evolution. We can look forward to perhaps getting closer to answers for metaphysical questions. This now would not be the be all and end all of all knowledge, but it would explain the basic construct of everything around us. That is an astounding proposition. With our current technology we can’t clearly verify this ambitious theory, but the writer thinks that the fact that he have theorized on the subject in itself is an admirable leap forward. It might not tell us why are we here, but it’ll get us a hell of a lot closer. So what is this far reaching answer to such an all enveloping question?
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Well, first we must discuss the major problem that loomed with developing such a theory. To correlate all things in the universe, one must first realize the two pillars of modern physics. First is Einstein’s general relativity and then the concept of quantum mechanics. Relativity provides a framework for understanding the universe at a large scale, we are talking about stars, galaxies and even larger objects(galaxy clusters, black holes even). Quantum mechanics does the opposite, provides a framework for the smallest of scales: such as molecules, atoms, and electrons and even quarks. Many modern scientists though have realized the looming conflict. As formulated they can’t both be correct. These theories are completely incompatible. In the past there hadn’t been a movement for a ready solution, but rather a coexistence with ignorance. The scientists knew of the incompatibility, but ignored it as mostly they dealt exclusively with the large or exclusively with the small. This works most of the time, but what if one had to deal with black holes where in their center an exorbitant amount of mass in crushed into a ridiculously small size. Also the big bang originated from a miniscule singularity which practically contained the whole universe. Do we just resign to the fact that these events should remain unexplained? Scientist have recently stated that superstring or string theory for short not only makes them coexist, but requires both of them to work in any logical sense.
To really understand string theory we must first look at towards the quantum world, towards the small. Since the Greeks surmised that there might be some basic element in nature that is “uncuttable” which they called atoms(their word for individual), science has discovered more and more smaller particles. First off the standard proton and neutron in the nucleus and the orbiting electrons. These weren’t the most particles either. First it was found that protons and neutrons are made of particles called quarks. The terrestrial world is mostly made of these particles, but many others have been found with no apparent end in sight. So the search for this most basic “uncut table” particle still continues.
Another element we must consider to understand string theory are the forces of nature. They are the gravitational force(the weakest), the electromagnetic force, the weak radioactive force and the strong radioactive force. Recently a common factor has been found that is similar to all four forces. All of the forces have been associated with a certain particle, that is to say that they emanate that particle. Basically the particles are the smallest representatives of the force. For the strong force gluons(which keep the nucleus of an atom glued), for the electromagnetic photons, for the weak a particle called weak gauge boson and for gravity the aptly named graviton. Now one could ask why is the universe composed of these forces arranged just thusly? Why is the electromagnetic force so much stronger? And what about the different particles?
The answer comes in the form of a string. These strings could be seen as the building blocks of matter. They theoretically are that “uncut table” element that the Greeks were looking for; theoretically because to actually try to examine something in that small of a scale exceeds all of our technological capabilities. If we were to unravel as it were a quark we might find not another point like particle, but a very thin rubber band like filament that is the string of string theory. Each string vibrates at a certain frequency, and the frequency of vibration of the string determines what particle it is. Each of the basic particles, the difference between them is determined by the frequency of the strings. One vibration would make a graviton and another a gluon for example. String frequency might determine the kind of force at work, more basically even string vibration in a broader sense determines the make up of objects.
These are fascinating subjects. It would be wonderful to think that we have found the most basic building block of matter, but it’s just a theory. One that science will pursue further in the future. So have we reached the end of knowledge? If in some future we would be advanced enough to understand and control these vibrations… what, would we be God? The writer of this essay feels a little pretentious examining those ideas, but one must consider though that we might be on the verge of a landmark event in our evolution.
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__________________________________________________________
Well, first we must discuss the major problem that loomed with developing such a theory. To correlate all things in the universe, one must first realize the two pillars of modern physics. First is Einstein’s general relativity and then the concept of quantum mechanics. Relativity provides a framework for understanding the universe at a large scale, we are talking about stars, galaxies and even larger objects(galaxy clusters, black holes even). Quantum mechanics does the opposite, provides a framework for the smallest of scales: such as molecules, atoms, and electrons and even quarks. Many modern scientists though have realized the looming conflict. As formulated they can’t both be correct. These theories are completely incompatible. In the past there hadn’t been a movement for a ready solution, but rather a coexistence with ignorance. The scientists knew of the incompatibility, but ignored it as mostly they dealt exclusively with the large or exclusively with the small. This works most of the time, but what if one had to deal with black holes where in their center an exorbitant amount of mass in crushed into a ridiculously small size. Also the big bang originated from a miniscule singularity which practically contained the whole universe. Do we just resign to the fact that these events should remain unexplained? Scientist have recently stated that superstring or string theory for short not only makes them coexist, but requires both of them to work in any logical sense.
To really understand string theory we must first look at towards the quantum world, towards the small. Since the Greeks surmised that there might be some basic element in nature that is “uncuttable” which they called atoms(their word for individual), science has discovered more and more smaller particles. First off the standard proton and neutron in the nucleus and the orbiting electrons. These weren’t the most particles either. First it was found that protons and neutrons are made of particles called quarks. The terrestrial world is mostly made of these particles, but many others have been found with no apparent end in sight. So the search for this most basic “uncut table” particle still continues.
Another element we must consider to understand string theory are the forces of nature. They are the gravitational force(the weakest), the electromagnetic force, the weak radioactive force and the strong radioactive force. Recently a common factor has been found that is similar to all four forces. All of the forces have been associated with a certain particle, that is to say that they emanate that particle. Basically the particles are the smallest representatives of the force. For the strong force gluons(which keep the nucleus of an atom glued), for the electromagnetic photons, for the weak a particle called weak gauge boson and for gravity the aptly named graviton. Now one could ask why is the universe composed of these forces arranged just thusly? Why is the electromagnetic force so much stronger? And what about the different particles?
The answer comes in the form of a string. These strings could be seen as the building blocks of matter. They theoretically are that “uncut table” element that the Greeks were looking for; theoretically because to actually try to examine something in that small of a scale exceeds all of our technological capabilities. If we were to unravel as it were a quark we might find not another point like particle, but a very thin rubber band like filament that is the string of string theory. Each string vibrates at a certain frequency, and the frequency of vibration of the string determines what particle it is. Each of the basic particles, the difference between them is determined by the frequency of the strings. One vibration would make a graviton and another a gluon for example. String frequency might determine the kind of force at work, more basically even string vibration in a broader sense determines the make up of objects.
These are fascinating subjects. It would be wonderful to think that we have found the most basic building block of matter, but it’s just a theory. One that science will pursue further in the future. So have we reached the end of knowledge? If in some future we would be advanced enough to understand and control these vibrations… what, would we be God? The writer of this essay feels a little pretentious examining those ideas, but one must consider though that we might be on the verge of a landmark event in our evolution.
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