• Question: I'v been looking at string theory lately(the theory that all leptons and quarks are actully a piece of string osscilating at different speeds). I understand it basicy apart from one point. How would osscilation cause quarks and leptons to change their propities? I know this is purly theoretical at the moment but i want know if this a flaw in the theory

    Asked by cosmic to Amy, Sarah, Will on 21 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Will Reynolds

      Will Reynolds answered on 21 Jun 2012:

      Hi Cosmic! Honestly, I have no idea! I like string theory and think its a very cool way to explain how particles behave and interact, but I have to say it sounds like you undrstand it better than I do! But I would think its probably not a flaw in the theory, or you would have heard about it already (scientists like pointing out other peoples mistakes!). From what I know, osscilations are by definition changes that occur systematically, so depending on what point in the osscilation the ‘string’ is would determine its properties and these may well change as the osscilation proceeds. Although this could be completely wrong, its just my best educated guess! Hope this helps.

    • Photo: Sarah Martin

      Sarah Martin answered on 21 Jun 2012:

      Hi cosmic!

      Well done on getting so far, that’s brilliant! The problem with string theory is that it’s really abstract – nobody can actually really imagine what the inside of an atom looks like because we can’t experience it!

      So strings actually help us picture what’s going on – at least to start off with. They are like a string on a violin – the difference is they move at the speed of light (so obey the rules of relativity) and are very very small (so also obey the rules of quantum mechanics). Together, this leads to some very unexpected properties!
      Oscillations don’t actually cause particles to change their properties – oscillations ARE the properties, and ALSO the particles!

      Apart from the oscillation, the string ends are important: strings can be open, with ends that travel at the speed of light, or closed, with their ends joined in a ring. One of the particle states of a closed string has zero mass and two units of spin, the same mass and spin as a graviton, the particle that is supposed to be the carrier of the gravitational force – so there’s gravity for you!

      🙂 Sarah

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