String Theory

The Part of Tens (String Theory)

In this part In these classic For topic Part of Tens topics, I offer some greater insights into what string theory might accomplish and the people closest to it. I explore ten concepts that physicists hope a “theory of everything” will explain, whether or not string theory turns out to be that theory. I also […]

Ten Questions a Theory of Everything Should (Ideally) Answer (String Theory)

In This Topic Hoping to unlock the secrets of the origin and end of the universe Wondering why our universe has the parameters it does Seeking explanations for dark matter, dark energy, and other mysteries 2m any “theory of everything” — whether it be string theory or something else — would need to answer some […]

The Big Bang: What Banged (and Inflated) ? (String Theory)

Currently, physics and cosmology tell us that the universe as we know it started about 14 billion or so years ago, in a singularity at which the laws of physics break down. Most scientists believe in a rapid inflation that occurred moments afterward, expanding space rapidly. When the inflation period slowed down, we entered into […]

Taking Other Roads to Quantum Gravity (String Theory)

Though string theorists like to point out that theirs is the most developed theory to unite general relativity and quantum physics (at times they even seem clueless that alternatives exist), sometimes it seems like nearly every physicist has come up with some plan to combine the two — they just don’t have the support that […]

Newton and Einstein Don't Make All the Rules: Modifying the Law of Gravity (String Theory)

Instead of trying to develop theories of quantum gravity, some physicists are looking at the existing law of gravity and trying to find specific modifications that will make it work to explain the current mysteries of cosmology. These efforts are largely motivated by attempts to find alternatives to the cosmological theories of inflation, dark matter, […]

Rewriting the Math topics and Physics topics at the Same Time (String Theory)

Revolutions in physics have frequently had an assist from revolutions in mathematics years before. One of the problems with string theory is that it has advanced so quickly that the mathematical tools didn’t actually exist. Physicists have been forced (with the aid of some brilliant mathematicians) to develop the tools as they go. Einstein got […]

So Are These Two Theories the Same with Different Names? (String Theory)

One viewpoint is that both string theory and loop quantum gravity may actually represent the same theory approached from different directions. The parallels between the theories are numerous: String theory began as a theory of particle interactions, but was shown to contain gravity. Loop quantum gravity began as a theory of gravity, but was shown […]

Considering Other Ways to Explain the Universe (String Theory)

In This Topic Some physicists are working in areas other than string theory — honest! Working around the need for a theory of quantum gravity Seeking new mathematical approaches while solving string theory problems In the event that string theory proves false, or that there is no “theory of everything” at all, there are still […]

Making Predictions with Loop Quantum Gravity (String Theory)

Loop quantum gravity makes some definite predictions, which may mean that it could be tested well before string theory can be. As string theory’s popularity is being brought into question, the amount of research into LQG may end up growing. Gravity exists (Duh!) Oddly enough, because LQG was born out of general relativity, one question […]

Loop Quantum Gravity: String Theory's Biggest Competitor

In This Topic Seeing how loop quantum gravity is more focused than string theory Knowing what predictions loop quantum gravity makes Evaluating the similarities between loop quantum gravity and string theory Though string theory is often promoted as the “only consistent theory of quantum gravity” (or something along those lines), some would disagree with this […]

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