Thread: String

How do the strings in string theory fit in with the dimensions it proposes (how many are there exactly?) and what's the relation between strings and subatomic particles?

String theory says that there are eleven dimensions. The only real reason that this is part of the theory is because it makes the math work out.

String theory also says that strings are a more fundamental building block of matter. It says that depending on how a string vibrates, it corresponds to a different subatomic particle.

I don't know what string theory is... I cannot take seriously a theory about rope enough to even look into it.

however, When ever I talk about dimensions being variables, somebody always tells me that sounds like string theory.

i think it's bassically the dimensions of 'physical reality'.. so you got the 3 spatial dimensions, then the time/motion dimension then you have other dimensions, secret dimensions perhaps? which are things like, magnetic energy, etheral energy, electric energy, some say that thought is another dimension, feelings an other dimension.

i don't know much about it but i think the stuff about other dimensions being alternate universes is complete nonsense.

String theory is that the path a sub atomic partical travels... is a string... nonsense surely?

i don't know much about it

This seems to apply to everything you post.

Originally Posted by AlexG

i don't know much about it

This seems to apply to everything you post.

Yes, and i state it... because im not a completely arrogant, presumtious, fool. I would still bet I've produce more independent and creative thoght than you will ever manage.

Why don't you try to give this chap a little help with his question rather than trolling around after me? mr know it all.

Originally Posted by question for you

String theory is that the path a sub atomic partical travels... is a string... nonsense surely?

I'm pretty sure the point of string theory is that all the different particles we know of with different properties are actually just different modes of vibration of the same string-like particle, an idea that seems less farfetched than having a bunch of random particles with different properties in my opinion. I don't know enough math to grapple with the theory at this point in my life though so I can't say for sure much about it. However, I do know it has nothing to do with the path particles travel being a string, I don't know where you are getting that from.

Originally Posted by TheObserver

Originally Posted by question for you

String theory is that the path a sub atomic partical travels... is a string... nonsense surely?

I'm pretty sure the point of string theory is that all the different particles we know of with different properties are actually just different modes of vibration of the same string-like particle, an idea that seems less farfetched than having a bunch of random particles with different properties in my opinion. I don't know enough math to grapple with the theory at this point in my life though so I can't say for sure much about it. However, I do know it has nothing to do with the path particles travel being a string, I don't know where you are getting that from.

Thak you observer.

I was being a bit flippant but i got it from wikipedia, where else?

"String theory posits that the electrons and quarks within an atom are not 0-dimensional objects, but rather 1-dimensional oscillating lines ("strings")." this is the actual stuff which i flippantly translated... I don't know i think i got it half right?

Though isn't it against the laws of physics to have a 1 dimentional line?

Originally Posted by question for you

Though isn't it against the laws of physics to have a 1 dimentional line?

It wouldn't be against the laws of physics, there is no law that forbids this ( remember, this is on the Planck scale, not macroscopic ).
String theory itself actually deals with world lines in its mathematical description, or, more accurately, world surfaces, which the strings traces through space-time. Particles then correspond to modes of vibration, and also things like tension on the String etc.
Interestingly enough, the maths for all this only work in a curved space-time background, and the boundary conditions for such a space-time immediately give the usual Einstein Field Equations. In that sense String theory "marries" both GR and quantum mechanics.